Manchester United Manager Erik Ten Hag Sacked

Oct 28 2024

Manchester United has dismissed manager Erik ten Hag following a poor start to the season, as confirmed by the club on Monday.

United, currently 14th in the Premier League, suffered their fourth league defeat in nine games against West Ham, with only one win in their last eight matches across all competitions.

This disappointing performance marked United’s worst season start in English top-flight football since 1989.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited)

Ten Hag, appointed in April 2022, led the team to victories in the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

However, recent struggles cast doubt over his future, with pressure mounting from fans and management. Despite initial support from United’s co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, Ten Hag’s position became untenable.

The club has named former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as interim head coach, with the current coaching team assisting him while a search for a permanent manager is underway.

In their statement, United expressed gratitude for Ten Hag’s contributions and wished him success in his future endeavours. Van Nistelrooy will now look to stabilise the team’s performance as they aim to recover from their current league position.

#MaltaDaily

Shorter Work Week Sees Iceland Economic Boost

Oct 28 2024

Iceland’s economy is thriving, outpacing much of Europe since the nationwide adoption of a shorter workweek with no reduction in pay.

Between 2020 and 2022, over half of Icelandic workers adopted shorter hours, including four-day workweeks, boosting productivity and worker well-being, according to research by the Autonomy Institute and Iceland’s Association for Sustainability and Democracy (Alda).

The study shows that, despite reduced hours, Iceland saw robust economic growth and maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe. In 2023, Iceland’s economy grew by 5%, second only to Malta among high-income European nations, a significant increase over its prior decade’s average of around 2%.

Initial trials from 2015 to 2019, which reduced public sector hours from 40 to 35-36 per week, showed sustained or improved productivity and notable increases in worker well-being, reducing stress, burnout, and health concerns.

Following the trials, Icelandic unions secured reduced hours for tens of thousands of workers.

While the IMF expects Iceland’s growth to slow due to lower tourism demand, the country’s unemployment remains a strong indicator of economic health, with last year’s rate at 3.4%, well below the European average.

Similar shorter workweek trials are gaining traction worldwide, including recent successful trials in the U.S. and Ireland.

#MaltaDaily

Matthew Perry Passed Away One Year Ago Today

Oct 28 2024

It’s already been one year since FRIENDS star Matthew Perry passed away – a sudden death that shook both the celebrity world and the massive fandom of the beloved sitcom.

One year after Friends star Matthew Perry’s tragic death, investigations have unveiled a complex web of exploitation by those closest to him.

Perry, who died on October 28, 2023, in his Pacific Palisades home, had struggled with addiction but seemed to be living peacefully prior to his death. The 54-year-old actor drowned in his jacuzzi after receiving several high doses of ketamine, a substance he had previously used therapeutically.

Months of investigation revealed a scheme involving Perry’s assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, and medical professionals who exploited his vulnerability, leading to severe overuse of ketamine.

Five individuals, including Iwamasa and two doctors, were arrested and charged with crimes including ketamine distribution and conspiracy. Allegedly, they administered inflated doses and charged Perry exorbitant rates. Notably, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, one of the implicated doctors, continued supplying Perry with large doses despite signs of deteriorating health.

Iwamasa has pleaded guilty, facing a possible 15-year sentence, while others await trials.

Key figures like Plasencia and a ketamine distributor, Jasveen Sangha, face extensive charges with possible life sentences. The trial for those pleading not guilty is set for March 2025, and Perry’s death has become a cautionary tale about the exploitation of addiction in Hollywood.

#MaltaDaily

Pajjiz Ta’ Kwalita: Theme For Budget 2025

Oct 28 2024

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced the theme for Budget 2025, called ‘Pajjiz ta’ Kwalita’ (A Country of Quality).

The theme, a government statement explains, reflects the work the government will be undertaking to move our country to the next level.

The budget will be announced today by Minister for Finance Clyde Caruana, in a budget that will focus on decisions concerning the quality of life of the Maltese and Gozitan people.

‘Quality over quantity when it comes to challenges and priorities of people in the work sector, our roads’ mobility, mental health, tourism and development. Sectors in which the government will announce and implement with a plan of action based on wide consultations that took place in the past weeks.’

#MaltaDaily