Church Hands Over €25m Dar Saura To Youths With Disabilities

Jul 25 2024

The Archdiocese of Malta has transferred the €25 million Dar Saura property to the Malta Trust Foundation. The iconic building in Rabat will be transformed into an empowerment hub for children and youths with disabilities.

Previously used as a home for the elderly, Dar Saura will be repurposed into a center for music and arts, as Villabianca relocates to a larger facility to accommodate more students and address its extensive waiting list.

The agreement was officially signed at a ceremony by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna and Malta Trust Foundation chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

Archbishop Scicluna remarked, “The best use of church property is when it serves a social purpose, especially helping those who need the most support. I hope Dar Saura will become a state-of-the-art hub empowering children and youth with disabilities to engage with their skills and discover and nurture their full potential through music and the arts.”

Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President emeritus and chair of the Malta Trust Foundation, expressed her vision, stating, “My dream is to see this hub become a one-stop-shop for families to see their children with disabilities thrive; a place where they can grow, develop their abilities, and be empowered to go out into the world.”

The Ta’ Saura Empowerment Hub is set to open in two years and will provide a new space for up to 500 students to practice music and the arts under professional guidance.

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Cypriots Urged To Limit Power Consumption Between 6 & 10pm

Jul 25 2024

On Monday, Cyprus’ Transmission System Operator (TSO) issued an urgent appeal to the public to reduce electricity consumption between 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm to prevent potential power cuts.

The TSO explained that the ongoing heatwave, coupled with exceptionally high demand for electricity, has placed significant strain on the power grid. They warned that the system is expected to operate at its limits during this evening peak period, increasing the risk of load shedding.

To mitigate this risk, the TSO urged residents to conserve electricity during the specified hours.

They recommended simple measures such as turning off unnecessary lights, avoiding the use of heavy appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, and setting air conditioners to a moderate temperature. These steps can collectively help reduce the load on the power grid.

The TSO emphasized that any power outages, if deemed necessary, would be managed through rotation and limited to a maximum duration of 30 minutes per area. They assured the public that these measures are precautionary and aimed at maintaining overall grid stability.

In their statement, the TSO apologized for any inconvenience this might cause and stressed the importance of community cooperation to avoid disruptions. They also informed the Electricity Regulatory Authority (CERA) about the situation and the potential need for controlled power cuts.

The Cyprus Distribution System Operator echoed the TSO’s call, underscoring the critical nature of the situation due to the prolonged heatwave.

They noted that during the peak hours of 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the electricity systems would be working at maximum capacity. If necessary, the load will be distributed through rotation, involving brief, half-hour power cuts to manage the demand efficiently.

The operator apologized in advance for any inconvenience and reiterated that the public’s efforts to conserve electricity during these peak hours are crucial. Both the TSO and the Distribution System Operator highlighted the importance of these measures in ensuring the stability and reliability of Cyprus’ electricity supply during this challenging period.

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Loewe World’s Hottest Brand According To Q2

Jul 25 2024

LVMH-owned Loewe has surged to the top spot in the latest Lyst Index, surpassing Miu Miu. Key drivers of this success include Loewe’s collaboration with the running brand On, which produced the highly popular Cloudtilt 2.0 sneakers, now the quarter’s hottest product. Loewe’s appeal was further boosted by its brand spot featuring actors Dan Levy and Aubrey Plaza, and its costumes for the movie “Challengers,” designed by creative director Jonathan Anderson.

Lyst highlighted that “these activations fuel desire for the product,” noting a 29% increase in searches driven by the popularity of Loewe’s basket bags and anagram tank tops over the past three months.

Prada and Miu Miu, previously jockeying for the top spots, saw shifts in their rankings. Miu Miu retained second place, while Prada fell to third. Saint Laurent climbed to fourth place, and Bottega Veneta dropped to fifth. Jacquemus rose to eighth, benefiting from its “Le Mariage” wedding campaign and “Les Rayures” summer capsule collection.

Gucci, Balenciaga, Versace, and Skims each advanced one spot, with Skims experiencing a 32% increase in searches, driven by new store openings and a swimwear line launch. Coach also saw a 27% rise in searches due to its blend of heritage appeal and trendy designs.

Dragon Diffusion’s leather accessories, especially the Dragon Diffusion Tote bag, and the Adidas SL72 OG sneakers were also among the hottest products. Searches for Paris-based Casablanca’s retro tennis-inspired crochet knit shirt surged 161%, making it the fourth hottest product, with overall searches for the brand up 64%.

Lyst’s quarterly reports, which rank fashion’s top 20 brands and products based on various data points including social media mentions and consumer behavior, have been tracking these trends since 2018.

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HMV Sign Dismantled Ahead Of Restoration

Jul 25 2024

After the His Master’s Voice (HMV) sign in Valletta was taken down after being damaged by a construction crane, it was dismantled so that the firs part of the restoration could take place.

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A post shared by PrevArti Co. Ltd (@prevartiltd)

A video was shared by Damato Records and PrevArti Co. Ltd, an art conservation and restoration service, showing the sign being dismantled so that it can be restored.

‘Sad to see this iconic sign being torn apart, but it is the first necessary step to restore it. We are labeling every piece and documenting every step to proceed in the most ethical way possible on a such a piece of cultural heritage.’

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