Almost every TV station in Malta wanted Xarabank after it ended, Peppi Azzopardi says

Mar 24 2023

In our latest episode of Gossip Rides, local media veteran Peppi Azzopardi revealed that when Xarabank ended, almost every single station offered to have the popular TV show from its platform.

Azzopardi revealed that he refused the offer because he felt that, after Xarabank’s success, reaching number 1 across all stations on all times, it was time to bid the show farewell.

Azzopardi went on to state that nowadays, all programmes are controlled and guests are invited only if they benefit the agenda of the organiser.

During Peppi Azzopardi’s Gossip Rides episode, the popular media personality and hosts Kelly discuss a wide variety of subjects.

You can watch the full episode of Gossip Rides below:

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World Athletics Council prohibits transgender woman from elite female events

Mar 24 2023

The World Athletics Council has approved a vote to ban transgender women from ‘elite’ female competitions if the individuals in questions underwent male puberty in an effort to reportedly “protect the future of the female category”.

World Athletics president Seb Coe addressed the decision after the ruling, stating that while the decision would certainly be met with dispute, it was guided by the “overarching principle” of fairness, as well as the science of physical performance and male advantage.

“Decisions are always difficult when they involve conflicting needs and rights between different groups, but we continue to take the view that we must maintain fairness for female athletes above all other considerations,” Coe stated, going on to sustain his belief in the integrity of the female category in athletics.

It was reported that a working group will also be set up to consult with transgender athletes and review any new research which may have come up.

The controversial issue of transgender participation in elite sports has been discussed for years on end, with the conversation reaching its peak when New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard qualified for the Olympics after transitioning in her 30s.

Photo Source: Canadian Running Magazine

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Government invests €6 million for the acquisition of Band Club properties under threat of eviction

Mar 24 2023

The Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government is investing €6 million in safeguarding musical societies by acquiring band club properties.

This initiative is aimed to protect band club traditions, which are under threat of eviction due to legal situation of obtaining rent laws, in towns and villages across Malta and Gozo given their long-standing cultural significance in our country.

The Ministry is pleased to announce that Government has reached an acquisition agreement with the following club premises owners:

1. Stella Maris Band Club – Sliema,
2. Anici Banda & Social Club – Ħal Qormi,
3. Socjeta Fil. GM Fra Antoine De Paule Banda Kristu Re – Paola,
4. Circolo San Giuseppe Sagra Familja – Kalkara,
5. La Stella Levantina – Ħ’Attard,
6. Marija Regina Band Club – Marsa

With regards to the Stella Maris Band Club, the process of accession has been already totally concluded, while with regards to the other properties a promise of sale has either been signed or is in the process of being signed with the respective owners following the reaching of a formalised agreement as to the conditions of the sale.

Minister Owen Bonnici has expressed the government’s commitment to protecting band clubs due to their social and cultural importance in our communities.

“This has been done through various means including financial support through particular schemes and also through the commitment to purchasing premises that are presently being used by the band clubs so that a long-term assurance of tenancy can be provided.” Dr Bonnici remarked. He stressed that throughout this effort, attention is being given so that the Government obtains a fair return on the financial investment which is being undertaken.

“On the one hand we are determined to help and assist those band clubs, but we must also do this while protecting the Government’s interest to see a just and fair income as a result of the investment which is being made,” he said.

Moreover, Minister Bonnici emphasised that government is committed to promoting a social element within the band clubs to strengthen community-led initiatives aimed at inclusion, learning, and preserving traditional skills related to the village feast.

“Arts Council Malta has an intrinsic role in safeguarding elements of our country’s artistic and cultural heritage, and through these acquisitions as a Council we are addressing one of Strategy 2025’s goals, which is to invest in and foster diverse artistic and cultural expression. Whilst also investing in various art forms through our strategy and funding schemes which cater for diverse areas of the Cultural and Creative Sector, we are also protecting our traditions, which form part of the solid platform on which the sector is built upon” said Arts Council Malta Chairman Albert Marshall.

To ensure consistency and immediate attention to this initiative, the Band Club Management Board, led by James Pearsall, was established within Arts Council Malta and is managing the affairs related to the acquisition.

Further negotiations are being undertaken with other band clubs which are similarly facing the threat of eviction.

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Local AI creator shows what a Malta-Gozo bridge would actually look like

Mar 24 2023

Malta has been debating the Malta-Gozo bridge for as long as we can remember, but local AI creator ‘Malta & AI’ has taken it into his own hands, creating artificially-generated images of what the actually bridge would look like.

Reminiscent of the cross-country highways found beyond the islands’ shores, Malta & AI published four futuristic-looking concepts on their social media pages.

With views of the Cirkewwa ferry port and Mgarr harbour, Malta & AI gives the public the clearest image of what a link between the two islands would actually look like.

What do you think of these artificially-generated images.

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