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Mużika Mużika returns for second edition with over 170 submissions

Mużika Mużika returns for second edition with over 170 submissions
Oct 20 2021 Share

Earlier this year, Festival Kanzunetta Malta saw its return through Mużika Mużika, with positive feedback from both local artists and audiences with more than 320,000 televiewers on a span of three days.

Festivals Malta has, for the last few months, been campaigning for the second edition of Mużika Mużika, as the agency opened submissions in July. Last Friday 15th October, Festivals Malta announced that the applications have officially closed, resulting in a total of 170 submissions from local artists.

Mużika Mużika Chairman, Mr Raymond Bugeja, commented that a rise in submissions was to be expected after the success of the first edition of the festival. “The turnout for this year’s edition of the festival has exceeded that of last year’s, strengthening the importance of the festival within the cultural calendar as it provides the platform Maltese music rightly deserves”, concluded Mr Bugeja.

The Festivals Malta team will now be proceeding to the second phase, as the submitted songs will be evaluated by an expert jury. These will be shortlisted to 35 songs, which will go through the process of a live audition in front of a different set of judges. Afterwards, 20 semi-finalist songs will be chosen, which will be joined by the winner of the television programme Mużika Mużika – Il-Vjaġġ Ikompli, as they go on to compete in the second edition of Mużika Mużika between the 24th and 26th of March 2022.

Festivals Malta wishes to thank all those who submitted their application for this festival.

For more information about the second edition of Mużika Mużika visit: www.muzikamuzika.mt

#MaltaDaily

Facebook could be changing its name as company rebrands

Facebook could be changing its name as company rebrands
Oct 20 2021 Share

You’ve read that correctly – social media giant Facebook is planning to rebrand the company with an entirely new name next week. The news was reported by the Verge on Tuesday, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter. Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s chief executive officer, plans to announce such a big revelation at the company’s annual Connect conference on the 28th of October. The name change could be unveiled sooner however, with the rebrand positioning Facebook’s social media app as one of many products under a parent company. 

This would be similar to how Google rebranded under the Alphabet umbrella. The parent company overseeing Facebook will be also managing Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus and other such platforms. Newsroom the Guardian reached out to Facebook, but the reply was that the company does not comment on rumour on speculation. This comes at a time when Facebook faces significant pressure from whistleblower France Haugen who constantly raises concerns about the company’s abuses. We will have to see if this is actually occurring or whether its just a conspiracy. But in the mean time, maybe share with us what possible names Facebook could take on? 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: BBC, Engine Journal

Massive rise in cases could see UK going for COVID Plan B

Massive rise in cases could see UK going for COVID Plan B
Oct 20 2021 Share

Just as life seems to have gone back to normal in the UK for millions, the rise in cases has prompted scientists to recommend the imposition of another round of health restrictions. In July, Prime Minister Boris Johnson lifted all the legal restrictions which had been imposed more than a year earlier, including face coverings indoors and social distancing. However, the UK recorded 43,738 new cases on Tuesday, which is slightly lower than Monday’s 49,156. This was the largest number since mid-July. 

The average of new infections has tipped more than 44,000 a day over the past week, a 16% increase from the week before. A fear of a big spike dominated after the lifting of measures in July but this didn’t happen. Instead infections remained high, with the rising starting just recently. More worrying is that the cases started to rise significantly in children as they remain largely unvaccinated. 

Hospitalisations and deaths are also seeing a significant rise, averaging 130 a day over the past week. Tuesday alone saw 223, with Britain recording more than 138,000 deaths which is the highest total in Europe following Russia. Britons have however gone to pre-pandemic lifestyles, with masks and social distancing evidently absent. Even proof of vaccination to attend nightclubs, concerts and other events was dropped. 

Scientists are now warning at waning immunity. Despite having had a quick rollout at the start, with booster shots now being offered. Critics are stating that the program is going too slow, at about 180,000 daily. With more than half of the people who are eligible for the booster not having received one, scientists are keeping an eye out on a new sub variant of the delta variant which is contributing to the rise in cases. 

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: Sky News

A local FIFA player signed for a Cypriot eSports team… and you’ll never guess who announced him!

A local FIFA player signed for a Cypriot eSports team... and you'll never guess who announced him!
Oct 19 2021 Share

If you hadn’t heard already, the world of competitive organised video gaming is making global strides. The tiny Mediterranean island of Malta is no exception as competitive gaming continuously grows and constantly welcomes up-and-coming gamers to the scene.

One of those names is Michael Micallef, more commonly known as Mizu in the gaming scene. Mizu has been competing in the local esports scene for years taking part in various competitions and eSports festivals as well as the BOV ePremier League which was established a few years ago.

Now, Mizu looks to set up shop in the international eSports scene as he signs for Apollon eSports, a eSports subdivision of football, volleyball and basketball club Apollon Limassol FC. The club also recently opened up an eSports branch, with Maltese football legend André Schembri announcing the signing of Micallef.

Do you follow the local eSports scene?

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