Malta’s Full-Time Employment Surges by 8.2%

Sep 23 2023

In a display of economic resilience, Malta’s job market is on fire as the latest figures from the National Statistics Office (NSO) reveal a remarkable surge in full-time employment.

In just one year, the number of registered full-time workers skyrocketed by a staggering 8.2%.

But that’s not all – Part-time workers are also joining the employment fiesta, with their numbers on the rise.

The NSO reports that 33,373 workers have embraced part-time roles as their primary gig, showcasing a substantial 3.8% increase compared to the same month last year.

Diving deeper into the data, it becomes crystal clear that the private sector is leading the charge, with an impressive surge of over 10% in full-time workers within a year.

Meanwhile, the public sector seems to have taken a breather, experiencing a marginal dip in full-time employment.

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Russell Brand Speaks Out Amidst Allegations and Censorship Claims

Sep 23 2023

In a recent video posted online, comedian and actor Russell Brand addressed the allegations of rape and sexual assault that have surfaced in the past week, describing them as “extraordinary and distressing.” Brand, 48, also accused the government of attempting to censor him, signalling his intent to continue sharing his thoughts and content.

Brand expressed his gratitude to supporters for questioning the information presented amid the allegations, marking his first public comments since the allegations were made by four women in a joint investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches.

The comedian firmly denied the accusations and pledged to return to his regular show on Rumble, an online video platform that has chosen not to demonetise his content, unlike YouTube. He suggested that efforts to restrict his advertising revenue on social media platforms were connected to the upcoming online safety bill.

Despite not directly addressing the allegations against him, Brand emphasised that he would continue to discuss topics such as “deep state and corporate collusion” and the influence of “big pharma” on government policies. He also pledged to address media corruption and censorship.

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Robert Abela Addresses the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Sep 23 2023

In an address to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister Robert Abela highlighted the island nation’s commitment to global cooperation and emphasised the importance of solidarity, multilateralism, and addressing pressing issues that impact the world.

Prime Minister Abela began by quoting the timeless words of poet John Donne: “No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” He used this quote to emphasised that while Malta is a proud island nation, it does not exist in isolation. Throughout its history, Malta has looked outward to the world, recognising its unique geographic position at the crossroads of Europe and Africa.

He highlighted Malta’s role as a bridge-builder, exemplified by its recent hosting of private talks between the United States’ National Security Adviser and China’s Foreign Minister. Malta has consistently shown its commitment to working together for the common good, earning the trust of fellow UN members.

As a sign of this trust, Malta was elected to serve on the United Nations Security Council for the current year and the next. Abela reiterated that Malta’s constitution places a strong emphasis on pursuing “peace, security, and social progress among all nations.”

He expressed Malta’s dedication to being open to the world, never turning its back on its neighbours. Malta stands unwaveringly with its partners in Europe and beyond to uphold peace and the rule of law.

Turning to global issues, Abela addressed the crisis in Ukraine, condemning Russia’s violation of international law and urging Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukrainian territory. He called on all nations to unite in bringing an end to the war, emphasising the far-reaching consequences of conflict on global food security.

Abela also stressed Malta’s active role in addressing challenges in the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on Libya. He emphasised the importance of a lasting settlement in Libya for regional peace and stability, expressing Malta’s commitment to supporting this process.

The Prime Minister touched on Malta’s commitment to being a bridge between continents, particularly with Africa. Malta has opened new diplomatic missions in Ghana and Ethiopia and has established agreements to facilitate connectivity for businesses and people between continents.

Abela expressed deep concern about the security situation in the Sahel, including political turmoil, irregular migration, jihadist attacks, and food insecurity. He called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

He also underscored Malta’s commitment to offering practical help to its neighbours, citing the nation’s rapid response to assist Libya after the devastating Storm Daniel. Maltese officers continue to serve in UN peacekeeping missions, demonstrating Malta’s dedication to peace and stability in the Mediterranean.

Abela emphasised Malta’s commitment to climate action and the protection of oceans, particularly in light of rising sea levels that threaten island nations. He praised the Secretary-General’s initiative to accelerate global efforts and called for collective action to combat climate change.

He also raised the issue of the digital divide, advocating for narrowing the gap not only within nations but globally. Abela called for international cooperation to ensure digital inclusion for all.

Abela stressed the importance of fairness in open economies and called for a new age of social protection, highlighting the need for standards and rights for workers.

Gender equality, the rights of the child, and mental health were among the topics Abela addressed as essential elements of ensuring security and well-being. He spoke of Malta’s efforts to empower women, support children, and promote mental health awareness.

Abela acknowledged the fear and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and emphasised the need for responsible AI governance. Malta is already harnessing the power of AI in public services and calls for international cooperation on AI governance.

After his address, Robert Abela also engaged in a productive meeting with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres, further solidifying Malta’s commitment to the United Nations and its shared values.

Prime Minister Abela and Secretary General Guterres discussed various topics of mutual interest, reflecting Malta’s longstanding involvement in UN discussions. Secretary General Guterres commended Malta’s role in the UN Security Council, particularly during its Presidency.

The meeting also touched upon the situation in Libya, where the Prime Minister emphasised the urgent need for assistance, not only in response to recent events like Cyclone Daniel but also in achieving lasting stability in line with the Libyan people’s aspirations.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg accompanied the Prime Minister during the meeting.

#MaltaDaily

Malta WNT Write History In Nations League

Sep 23 2023

FIRST GAME, FIRST GOAL, AND FIRST THREE POINTS FOR MALTA WNT IN THE UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE

Latvia 0 – 1 Malta

In a thrilling encounter in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, Malta Women’s National Team (WNT) secured their first victory, first goal, and first three points of the campaign as they triumphed over Latvia with a final score of 1-0. This historic win marked a significant milestone in the team’s journey in League C Group 1.

The match got off to an intense start, with Malta making an early statement. Just three minutes into the game, they were awarded a free-kick after a foul committed by Latvia’s Flakse, who received an early yellow card for her actions. Unfortunately, Cuschieri’s attempt at goal went wide. The Maltese side continued to press, with Zammit taking a shot from outside the box, which was deflected off target.

Latvia had their first scoring opportunity in the 10th minute when Miksone managed to find her way into Malta’s box. Still, Zaičikova’s first-time shot was brilliantly saved by Malta’s goalkeeper, Xuereb, demonstrating her skills early in the match.

Despite controlling most of the possession in the first quarter of the first half, the Maltese players struggled to break through Latvia’s defense. On the 21st minute, a Said free-kick created chaos in Latvia’s box, but Bugeja’s shot failed to trouble goalkeeper Vaivode. A minute later, Bugeja passed to an unmarked Giusti, who was late on the ball, allowing the goalkeeper to make an easy save.

The 35th minute saw a brilliant run by Bugeja, whose shot from outside the box forced a corner. Latvia managed to get two shots on target on the 37th minute, with Zaičikova shooting wide and Xuereb saving a powerful shot from Miksone a minute later. Latvia continued to put pressure on Malta’s defensive half. A free-kick taken by Ročāne found Zaičikova in the box, but Xuereb saved it in two attempts.

The last chance before half-time was once again with Zaičikova, but her strong shot ended just wide, leaving the home crowd frustrated.

The second half began with Latvia on the offensive, but Zaičikova’s efforts once again went high. Malta had a golden opportunity in the 52nd minute when Bugeja’s low pass found Sciberras, but her shot was cleared for a corner. A minute later, Bugeja’s cross found Giusti unmarked, but her effort went wide.

Latvia responded with another run by Zaičikova, but her shot missed the target. Latvia’s best chance came in the 57th minute when Sečova’s powerful shot from inside the box struck the crossbar and was subsequently cleared by the resilient Malta defence.

In the 58th minute, Head Coach Tesse made a double substitution, bringing on Borg and Ayres to replace Zammit and Giusti, injecting fresh energy into the team.

Malta had a few more opportunities, with Cuschieri finding Bugeja, but her effort from inside the box missed the mark.

Then, in the 82nd minute, the crucial moment arrived. A cross-shot by Said was deflected into a corner by the Latvian keeper. From the subsequent corner, the Latvian defenders failed to clear the ball. Cuschieri pounced on the loose ball and passed it to Bugeja, who seized the opportunity and punished the onrushing Latvian keeper with a low shot that found the back of the net.

The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading Latvia 0, Malta 1, marking a historic moment for Malta WNT as they celebrated their first win in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

This victory not only secured three valuable points but also boosted the team’s confidence and set the stage for an exciting journey ahead in the competition.

#MaltaDaily