Malta’s unemployment rate continues to drop compared to previous years

Nov 22 2021

The number of persons registering for work in October stood at 1,254 and dropped by 1,860 when compared to the same month last year. Jobsplus informed The Malta Independent that for October 2021, a year-on-year decrease of around 1,750 was recorded as people registered under Part I. An additional drop of 110 persons registering under Part II of the unemployment register was recorded.

Part I registrations involve people who left school, re-entrants into the job market or those who were made redundant by their former employers. Part II registrations are workers who have been dismissed from work due to disciplinary action, left of their own free will, refused work/training opportunities or were struck off the register following Law Enforcement inspections.

Registered unemployment levels saw a decrease across all groups and genders. A drop was also noted among those who were registering for work for more than one year. The number of persons with a disability who registered for work increased by 5, reaching 267 persons. Males account for 74.9% of total registrants with disability.

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Photo Source: The New Federalist

Cardi B stuns American Music Awards with gold mask

Nov 22 2021

The American Music Awards Red Carpet was utterly shocked after Cardi B turned up wearing a solid gold mask at the event.

The rapper, who also hosted the event, had previously informed fans and viewers to expect some costume changes. But who would have thought that the ‘Up’ singer would don such a bizarre mask?

She first turned up with a long black dress with a sequinned leopard print pattern. The 29-year-old however returned with a golden mask and a Schiaparelli dress off her shoulder.

Reactions were mixed, some calling Cardi a fashion icon whilst others expressing that they were put off by the face covering.

Despite wanting to bring her personality to the AMA’s stage, she told Variety that the night was ultimately in honour of the performers taking to the stage.

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Photo Source: The Mirror, The Independent

SUV drives into Wisconsin Christmas Parade, leaves five dead

Nov 22 2021

A Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin was tragically cut short after a car drove straight into the crowd. Five people were killed and 40 reported injured. Disturbing footage posted online shows a red SUV driving through the parade at around 16:40 local time.

Just arrived in #Waukesha. Here’s a few initial photos from the scene where a car plowed into the Christmas Parade Sunday evening. pic.twitter.com/tMDrI2buYB

— Mike De Sisti (@mdesisti) November 22, 2021

A considerable amount of people were hit, but police authorities indicated that the incident does not yet appear as an act of terrorism. The driver appears to have been attempting escape from an unknown cause before driving into the parade.

Police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters that a person of interest was in custody, but there were no further threats to people’s safety. Several notable figures, including POTUS Joe Biden, expressed their condolences.

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The 10th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival promises a spectacular line up

Nov 22 2021

Festivals Malta has just launched the programme for the exciting 10th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival in January of next year. The event is set to take place between the 14th and 29th of January 2022 and will feature 36 diverse concerts all celebrating music from the 17th and 18th century.

It will be spread over 18 venues, all historical Maltese landmarks. These include the Manoel Theatre, Archaeology Museum, Verdala Palace, San Anton Palace and other churches and cathedrals around the island.

Minister for Culture José Herrera spoke about the importance of such a festival within the cultural sector, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact.

‘The Valletta Baroque Festival is truly unique because through its prestige, it attracts a specific form of tourism characterised by tourists who are mainly interested in the festival but end up falling in love with the majesty of the locations and venues where the concerts are held.

I am sure that this edition, which follows months of disruption caused by the pandemic, will provide a truly unique experience, an experience which will continue to reinforce the festival’s position as one of the top 10 Baroque festival in Europe’.

Kenneth Zammit Tabona, the festival Artistic Director, said that Baroque music is part of our DNA. He also highlighted some of the spectacular acts and ensembles participating in the event.

These feature Mahan Esfahani, Charlie Siem, Gabetta Consort with Franco Fagioli, Vasillis Varvaresos, Avi Avital, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and much more! Local artists will also have a chance to show their skill during the festival, with performances by The Rock Troupers, The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Monteverdi Project directed by Marco Mencoboni, as well as the Valletta Baroque Ensemble and KorMalta in Handel’s iconic Messiah conducted by Christian Curnyn.

Annabelle Stivala, Festivals Malta CEO, emphasised what it means to the agency to be entrusted with such a festival. She expressed what an honour it truly is to be entrusted this project. They are also working on the ABOS Project and the Valletta Baroque Opera Festival happening in November 2022. The former aims to create awareness on Italo-Maltese composer Girolamo Abos’ music. The latter’s main feature will be a 1747 opera called Pelopida by Abos as well.

For tickets and other information, those interested can follow this link.

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Photo Source: Darren Agius