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

David Casa to give up quaestor position to give Metsola better chance at president

Nov 22 2021

Nationalist MEP David Casa will be stepping down from his position as quaestor at European Parliament to give Roberta Metsola a better chance at becoming the parliament president.

This comes after Metsola announced her attempt at becoming the EPP’s candidate for European Parliament president last week.

Posting to Facebook, Casa said that when he was informed by Metsola of her entering the race, he immediately gave her his full support. ‘Even if this meant giving up [his] role as quaestor.’

Casa said that for him, politics is not about the politicians. ‘It is a means of bringing positive change in the lives of the people we represent. And through this election, we will have the chance of having a Maltese woman in a leadership position in European politics.’

Casa was elected quaestor in July of 2019, becoming one of five MEPs elected for a two and a half year term. The deadline for candidates to submit their nomination is today November 22nd 2021, with Austrian MEP Othmar Karas having already entered the race.

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Photo Source: EPP Group in the European Parliament

When someone is considering suicide | by Ed’s Common Sense

Nov 21 2021

Recent events have surely shed light on the lack of mental health awareness being made in Malta and the need for the general public’s education regarding the matter. Mental health and suicide awareness are as important as ever going into 2022 and this week, clinical psychologist & psychotherapist Dr. Edward Curmi brings us a couple of tips for how to react when someone is considering suicide.

Dr. Edward Curmi is also the author of 2 self-help books titled Ed’s Common Sense.