You Might Have To Wait Longer For Temu And Shein Products As EU Plans Import Fees

Feb 6 2025 Share

The European Commission plans to impose new fees on e-commerce imports to combat the surge of unsafe and counterfeit goods, most of which come from China.

EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen has warned that online shopping imports have surged, doubling within a year to reach 12 million parcels per day.

The rapid rise of platforms like Shein and Temu has caught regulators’ attention. Shein is currently under investigation for potential consumer protection violations, while Temu, already are the subject of an EU investigation under the Digital Services Act since last October

Authorities report alarming safety failures, with up to 96% of tested products failing EU standards. Dangerous goods, including defective pacifiers and hazardous electronics, continue to enter the market unchecked.

Brussels is also pushing to remove duty exemptions for low-cost parcels and tighten enforcement, aiming to protect European consumers and ensure fair competition for local businesses.

“We want to see a competitive e-commerce sector that keeps consumers safe, offers convenient products, and is respectful of the environment,” EU tech chief Henna Virkkunnen said in a statement.

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Exhibition Celebrates Masks, Facial Likeness At Spazju Kreattiv

Exhibition Celebrates Masks, Facial Likeness At Spazju Kreattiv
Feb 6 2025 Share

On January 5th, at Spazju Kreattiv, Festivals Malta, in collaboration with Spazju Kreattiv, opened the exhibition Wiċċ il-Karnival: Wirja t’Uċuħ u Maskri (Carnival Faces: An Exhibition of Faces and Masks), which explores the art of crafting carnival papier-mâché faces and masks.

The exhibition, which is free to the public, will be open until March 16th.

Featuring around eleven papier-mâché heads created by the Carnival companies Landa Carnival Company, Triton Carnival Company, and DreamTeam Carnival Company, the exhibit showcases some of the best likenesses these artists have crafted in recent years.

The pieces include portraits of internationally known celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Walt Disney, and even the famous alien, E.T.

The exhibition also includes mask work by Michael Grech, a Birgu-based artist who, inspired by a tourist’s question about traditional Maltese masks, created interpretations of how the traditional Maltese mask might look in his project called “Wiċċ Laskri.”

Festivals Malta Chairman, Mr. Aaron Zahra, noted that Wiċċ il-Karnival is one of the events that Festivals Malta is organising beyond the traditional Carnival celebrations, aiming to increase public and tourist interest in Maltese Carnival arts.

The exhibition also marks the launch of the Carnival program, which culminates between February 28 and March 4 in Valletta and Floriana.

For more information, visit www.festivals.mt/karnival. The Maltese Carnival is organised by Festivals Malta with the support of the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, and GSD Marketing Ltd.

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Malta To Play Against Germany at European U21 Championships Qualifying Round

Feb 6 2025 Share

The draw for the 2025-27 UEFA European under 21- championship qualifying round took place on Thursday 6th February at UEFA’s headquarters in Lyon, Switzerland.

Malta, placed in group F, alongside Germany, Georgia, Greece, Northern Ireland, and Latvia.

The nine group winners, along with the best-performing runner-up based on results against the top five teams in their group, will qualify directly for the final tournament. The remaining eight runners-up will compete in the play-offs to determine the last four finalists.

Regardless the remaining eight runners-up will compete in play-offs to determine the final four spots.

Qualifying group stage matches are scheduled to take place from March 2025 through October 2026, followed by a play-off round in November 2026.

This marks the beginning of Davide Mazzotta’s tenure as Malta Under-21 Coach, having been appointed last month. Mazzotta has a strong reputation for developing young talent.

The final tournament, which will be hosted in Albania and Serbia, is set for the summer of 2027.

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Eurovision 2013 Winner Emmelie De Forest To Perform In Semifinal 2!

Eurovision 2013 Winner Emmelie De Forest To Perform In Semifinal 2!
Feb 6 2025 Share

The Malta Eurovision Song Contest (MESC) 2025 continues its thrilling journey tonight with Semi-Final 2, featuring a special performance by Emmelie de Forest, the Danish sensation who clinched the Eurovision crown in 2013 with “Only Teardrops.”

The evening will also showcase a diverse lineup of local talent vying for a spot in the grand final. The participants for Semi-Final 2 are:

Kelsey Bellante – “365”
Dario Bezzina ft. Żeppi l-Muni – “Għażliet”
Kelsy Attard – “Love Me Loud”
Miriana Conte – “Kant”
The Alchemists – “Rubble & Stone”
Martina Borg – “Yo Listen”
Nathan Psaila – “Concrete”
Kurt Anthony – “Miegħek Biss”
Kantera – “Lalaratatakeke Lalaratakabum”
Krista Šujak – “Unheard”
Stefan – “Lablab (Talk Talk)”
Miguel Bonello – “Breaking The Cycle”

In addition to Emmelie de Forest’s performance, the interval act of the first semi-final featured performances by Mihai Trăistariu, who represented Romania in Eurovision 2006 with “Tornero”; Adonxs, who will represent Czechia with his song “Kiss Kiss Goodbye”; and former Maltese national final participants Brooke, Klinsmann, and Lawrence Gray.

The event will be hosted by the dynamic trio of Pauline Agius, Davide Tucci, and Valentina Rossi, ensuring an engaging and entertaining experience for all attendees.

MESC 2025 Semi-Final 2 promises an unforgettable evening of music and entertainment, celebrating both international and Maltese musical talent. The show will be broadcast live on Television Malta (TVM) and available for streaming on the official TVM website.

For more information and updates, visit the official MESC website or follow their social media channels.

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