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.

#MaltaDaily

‘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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Maltese Delegation Attends NATO Parliamentary Assembly Session

Nov 26 2024

A Maltese delegation led by Carmelo Abela and Beppe Fenech Adami participated in the 70th NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Montreal, Canada, from November 22-25, 2024.

This marked Malta’s first representation as an Associate Member, following a unanimous parliamentary vote.

The assembly, comprising 281 delegates from 32 NATO member states, reflected a broad political spectrum.

The session featured committee meetings on Defence, Economics, Science, Democracy, and Political Security, alongside thematic discussions on issues like AI’s role in fake news, future armed forces, China, and Arctic competition.

During the Committee on Democracy and Security, topics included Canada’s emergency preparedness, protecting cultural heritage, and water insecurity.

Meanwhile, the Economics and Security Committee addressed Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, Russia’s wartime economy, and dual-use technologies. Abela discussed sanctions, emphasizing their ineffectiveness and impact on vulnerable populations, and called for innovative approaches, including secondary sanctions.

The event concluded with a plenary session featuring speeches by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Canadian Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagné, alongside administrative votes and leadership elections.

#MaltaDaily