Beat the Heat: Top Movies to Watch at Home this Summer

Jul 31 2023

As the scorching temperatures soar in Malta and cinemas fill up with moviegoers, sometimes the idea of stepping out of your air-conditioned haven feels like a daunting task. But fret not! This summer, you can turn your living room into a personal theater and catch some of the hottest new releases and big box office hits right from the comfort of your own home. With streaming platforms offering a fantastic selection of films, your movie-watching experience will be as exciting as ever. Here are some must-watch movies to add to your summer watchlist:

1. Hidden Strike (Netflix)

For all the action junkies out there, “John Cena’s Hidden Strike” on Netflix is the perfect pick. Brace yourself for heart-pounding thrills as Cena leads a team of elite soldiers on a daring mission to rescue hostages from a ruthless terrorist organization. Explosions, adrenaline, and jaw-dropping stunts await in this action-packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

2. Avatar: The Way of Water (Disney+)

The wait is over! Return to the mesmerising world of Pandora in “Avatar: The Way of Water,” the highly anticipated sequel to James Cameron’s groundbreaking film. Immerse yourself in the visually stunning landscapes and captivating story as the Na’vi and humans embark on a new and thrilling journey. With cutting-edge special effects and a compelling narrative, this sci-fi epic promises an unforgettable cinematic experience.

3. Extraction 2 (Netflix)

Chris Hemsworth is back with a vengeance in “Extraction 2,” the follow-up to the pulse-pounding action film that kept audiences at the edge of their seats. Join Tyler Rake once again as he takes on dangerous enemies and impossible odds in an adrenaline-fueled mission. With gripping action sequences and intense drama, this sequel is a rollercoaster ride of excitement.

4. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 (Disney+)

Get ready for a cosmic adventure with your favorite misfit heroes in “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.” Directed by James Gunn, this Marvel blockbuster promises to be a wild ride filled with humor, heart, and epic interstellar battles. Join Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax as they face new challenges and unite to save the universe once again.

5. The Deepest Breath (Netflix)

“The Deepest Breath” takes you on an awe-inspiring journey through the ocean depths. This gripping film follows the quest of a determined free diver who sets their sights on shattering a world record, with the guidance and support of an expert safety diver. Together, they embark on a remarkable path, one that leads them to the pinnacle of the free diving world, uncovering the extraordinary rewards and risks that come with chasing an audacious dream beneath the waves.

6. Le Mans ’66 (Disney+)

Rev up your engines for “Le Mans ’66,” a high-octane sports drama that brings the intense rivalry between Ford and Ferrari to life. Starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, this adrenaline-fuelled movie takes you on an unforgettable ride through the 1966 Le Mans race. Buckle up for a gripping and action-packed cinematic experience.

This summer, you don’t need to worry about the crowds or the heat. With an incredible lineup of movies available on streaming platforms, you can create your own movie marathon at home. So, grab some snacks, turn up the A/C, and get ready for an unforgettable cinematic journey right from your living room.

Happy movie watching!

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58 Vehicles Added Daily To Maltese Roads Between April & June

Jul 31 2023

In the second quarter of 2023, the total number of licensed motor vehicles increased by 5,319 compared to the previous quarter, bringing the stock to 432,039 by the end of June 2023, the National Statistics Office (NSO) revealed.

Among these vehicles, 74.2% were passenger cars, 14.2% were commercial and agricultural motor vehicles, and 11.0% were motorcycles, E-bikes, PA-bikes, E-kick scooters, quadricycles, and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Buses and minibuses constituted less than 1% of the total.

On average, 58 motor vehicles were added to the licensed stock each day during the review quarter. Of the newly licensed vehicles, 55.6% were passenger cars, and 17.9% were motorcycles, PA-bikes, and E-bikes. Among the newly licensed vehicles, 67.0% were new, and 33.0% were used.

During the same period, 6,341 motor vehicles were taken off the road due to restrictions. Out of these, 37.0% were garaged, 34.6% were resold, and 26.0% were scrapped.

Additionally, 4,364 motor vehicles had their restrictions lifted, with the majority being recorded as garaged (51.2%) or resold (48.1%).

Regarding the type of engines, petrol-powered motor vehicles comprised 58.4% of the total, while diesel-powered motor vehicles accounted for 36.2%.

Electric and plug-in hybrid motor vehicles represented 3.3% of the entire stock, with 14,336 vehicles in total. There were notable increases compared to the previous quarter in combined (diesel-LPG) motor vehicles (40.9%), electric motor vehicles (17.8%), and plug-in hybrid (diesel-electric) motor vehicles (13.3%).

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Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina First World Cup Player To Wear Hijab

Jul 31 2023

On Sunday, history was made in the World Cup as Nouhaila Benzina from Morocco became the first player to wear a hijab during her team’s triumphant 1-0 victory over South Korea.

The 25-year-old defender, who was an unused substitute in their opening 6-0 loss to Germany, was chosen by manager Reynald Pedros to start in the crucial match in Adelaide.

Thanks to her white Islamic headscarf, authorized by FIFA in 2014 for religious reasons, she played the entire game, contributing significantly to Morocco’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stages in their World Cup debut.

Despite being ranked 55 places below South Korea in the women’s world rankings, Morocco made an early breakthrough when striker Ibtissam Jraïdi scored their first-ever World Cup goal in the sixth minute.

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A post shared by Nouhaila Benzina (@benzinanouhaila)

Benzina displayed crucial interventions during the match, almost scoring from a set piece with a snapshot over the bar. Park Eun-sun nearly equalized for South Korea with a diving header, but it went agonizingly wide of the post, leaving Khadija Er-Rmichi, Morocco’s goalkeeper, relieved.

Benzina’s significance extended beyond her performance; she is the first player to wear a hijab in a senior women’s international tournament. Previously banned by FIFA on health and safety grounds, the rule was changed in 2014, allowing players like Benzina to proudly represent their faith and excel on the world stage.

This historic moment marked a positive step towards inclusivity and diversity in the sport, celebrating the empowerment of athletes irrespective of their religious beliefs.

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Marker At Fort St Angelo Indicates Final Camino Maltes Stop

Jul 31 2023

A marker pointing towards Galicia in Spain has been placed near the entrance to Fort St Angelo, indicating it as the final local stop along the Camino Maltés before setting off towards Sicily.

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, recalled that last January, it was announced that Malta had been added to the list of starting points for the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage route that can be initiated from different starting points in several European countries.

“Thanks to the initiative of several local entities, including Heritage Malta, our country is now one of these starting points, with a route named Camino Maltés, which is around 3,600km long and also includes Sicily, Sardinia, and Barcelona,” Minister Bonnici said.

The Maltese segment of the Camino Maltés route is approximately 35km long. It starts at Saint Paul’s Grotto in Rabat, then on to Żejtun, Fort St Angelo in Birgu, and finally across the harbour to Valletta, where pilgrims catch the ferry to Sicily. More than 300 people from over 15 countries have walked the Camino Maltés in the first months following its inception.

Fort St Angelo was chosen as the home of the marker because of what it represents: the links to the Knights of St John, the service and raison d’être of the Order itself, the maritime routes, its position in the Grand Harbour, its link with Birgu, the Three Cities, and Valletta, as well as local pilgrimages and what they represent.

The Camino Maltés initiative, led by the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade via the Embassy of Malta in Spain, is a collaborative effort including Heritage Malta, the Malta Tourism Authority, and Xircammini, Malta’s official association representing the International Federation of the Associations of Friends of the Camino de Santiago.

The marker was unveiled at a ceremony attended by Daniel Azzopardi, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to the Kingdom of Spain, Jose Maria Muriel Palomino, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the Republic of Malta, Gabriel Baltar, Honorary Consul of Malta to the autonomous region of Galicia, Noel Zammit, Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Malta and Carlo Micallef, Chief Executive Officer of the Malta Tourism Authority.

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