Bormla Win Freedom Day Regatta For 14th Time

Mar 24 2024

Cospicua reclaimed the Freedom Day shield after the Cottonera club triumphed in the March regatta for the 14th time, with the event rescheduled a week earlier to accommodate the holiday coinciding with Easter Sunday.

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Their strong showing earned them 60 points in the main category, edging out Vittoriosa and Senglea.

Needing a third-place finish in the final race to clinch victory, Cospicua secured eight crucial points with a quartet led by Maximilian Mamo.

They also won two of the five Open races. In Category B, Kalkara and Vittoriosa tied on points, with Kalkara awarded the shield initially for their higher combined wins and runner-up finishes.

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Vittoriosa won the single women’s race, with Shazel Grima and Glynnis Mizzi representing them. Celebrations ensued following the win as Cospicua celebrated their 14th historic win.

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Shaun Farrugia Joins Martin Garrix At Ultra Music Festival, Miami

Mar 24 2024

Shaun Farrugia featured in the the 24th edition of Ultra Miami joining Martin Garrix during his main stage performance on Saturday evening.

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Established in 1999, Ultra Music Festival (UMF) has become a global phenomenon, synonymous with an atmosphere of unparalleled energy, dazzling stage and an all electronic music line up featuring over 150 acts including Armin Van Buuren, Chase & Status, Miss Monique, Peggy Gou, Afrojack, David Guetta, Martin Garrix and many many more.

During his set in front of 55,000 attendees Garrix gave a glimpse of a number of new songs he is set to release, including another brand new song with local artist Shaun Farrugia. This is not the first time the two have collaborated, releasing the likes of ‘Starlight (Keep Me Afloat)’ and ‘If We’ll Ever Be Remembered’.

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Over 1,800 First Time Buyers Applied For €10K Over 10 Years Grant In 2023

Mar 24 2024

Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation Roderick Galdes revealed that more than 1,800 first-time property buyers in 2023 have already applied for the €10,000 grant, distributed over a span of ten years. This initiative, part of the Malta Flimkien electoral agenda, aims to bolster new homeownership. Reflecting on the past year, Minister Galdes noted that over 2,800 individuals who embarked on the significant journey of purchasing their inaugural home in 2022 have received their initial €1,000 installment under this program. They are set to receive the second installment out of ten payments this year.

“Starting from June this year, first-time property buyers from the previous year will begin receiving their first €1,000 installment as part of a decade-long support initiative,” remarked Galdes.

The Minister stressed that this grant, integrated into several diverse programs managed by the Housing Authority (HA), signifies a substantial investment in our families and youth, who play a pivotal role in the economic prosperity of our nation.

Galdes further elaborated, “An important economic benefit of this scheme is its contribution to our country’s homeownership rate, which currently stands at 82% — one of the highest in Europe.”

“As the Housing Authority, we are committed to investing in the aspirations of young Maltese individuals, particularly their ambition for homeownership. We are enhancing our comprehension of this vital sector through continuous data analysis and research. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that, in alignment with our commitments, payments for this program will resume in June,” stated HA CEO Matthew Zerafa.

First-time buyers who purchased a property in 2023 and who have not yet applied for this grant should do so no later than the end of April by visiting https://bit.ly/Għotja10K.

Permanent Secretary Emanuel Psaila was also present for this press conference.

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Russia Adds LGBTQ Movement to List of Extremist Organizations

Mar 23 2024

In a recent development, Russia has made a significant addition to its list of designated extremist and terrorist organizations, with the inclusion of what it terms the “LGBT movement.” This decision, following a ruling by Russia’s Supreme Court last November, underscores a concerning trend of LGBTQ activists being labeled as extremists. Representatives of the gay and transgender community have expressed fears of heightened surveillance, arrests, and prosecutions as a result.

The list, managed by the agency Rosfinmonitoring, carries significant implications, as it grants authorities the power to freeze bank accounts belonging to more than 14,000 individuals and entities identified as extremists and terrorists. Notably, this includes a diverse range of groups from Al Qaeda to U.S. tech giant Meta, as well as associates of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

According to state news agency RIA, the new designation specifically targets the “international LGBT social movement and its structural units.” This move aligns with a broader shift under President Vladimir Putin towards what the administration portrays as traditional family values, which are positioned in opposition to perceived decadent Western attitudes.

Over the past decade, Russia has implemented increasingly stringent measures concerning expressions of sexual orientation and gender identity. This includes the passage of laws prohibiting the promotion of “non-traditional” sexual relations and banning legal or medical changes of gender.

As Russia continues to tighten restrictions, concerns mount regarding the erosion of LGBTQ rights and freedom of expression within the country. The latest decision further underscores the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals and activists in asserting their rights and identities in a restrictive political climate.

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