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Local & international sports competitions hang in the balance due to pandemic uncertainty

Jul 30 2021 Share

With the last quarter of the year approaching soon, the fate of a considerable number of sports events hangs in the balance.

The likes of which include top global brands in Obstacle Course Racing such as Tough Mudder and Spartan Race, who are reportedly waiting for a clear direction on whether or not their events can take place due to current measures and restrictions making it very hard for events of this nature to be financially viable.

Other major events like Hold the Fort also remain in limbo on whether their 2021 edition will be held due to Malta’s current sporting guidelines, which were last updated in May 2021. Some have argued that the current measures and sporting guidelines are not so practical and sustainable for the hosting of such events and have even stated that one cannot get the ‘full experience’ of under these regulations.

Malta also serves as a major player in the progression of such events, with the country hosting a key qualifier event from Spartan Race’s World Championship event in Abu Dhabi.

Competitors and stakeholders in such events have expressed their perplexity at such uncertainty, with Malta boasting one of the most impressive vaccination rates in the world; potentially a deciding factor for most.

Others have also argued that due to such events being outdoor and do not involve contact, they pose less of a risk than their indoor counterparts which involve contact, many of which are being held around the world in countries which have a lesser rate of vaccination.

The coming days will be decisive for the organisers of the Obstacle Course Racing events as they will have to decide whether or not they will postpone their events for yet another year.

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2.5 tonnes of waste cleaned-up for World Nature Conservation Day

2.5 tonnes of waste cleaned-up for World Nature Conservation Day
Jul 30 2021 Share

With an initiative coordinated by Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Sustainable Development Miriam Dalli, over-30 divers, kayakers and snorkelers participated in an underwater clean-up in Senglea to mark the World Nature Conservation Day. In view of the clean-up campaign currently carried out by Parks Malta, environmental activist Raniero Borg was joined by the Energy and Water Agency (EWA) and the Water Services Corporation (WSC). The Senglea area was chosen after a seabed analysis revealed a substantial amount of illegally disposed waste. 

Over 2.5 tonnes of waste were collected during the clean-up, including tyres, vehicle parts, wood, pipes, chairs, glass and a host of other objects which were polluting Malta’s waters. Dalli thanked the entities for their support, explaining how Parks Malta has been organising various clean-ups across Malta. 275 tonnes of waste have been collected across eight clean-up activities across the island. The Minister emphasised how raising awareness about protecting the environment needs to be kept up, alongside creating open spaces for the Maltese and traveller to enjoy. 


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Photo Source: Miriam Dalli FB

Birkirkara eliminated after penalty heartbreak.

Jul 30 2021 Share

Yesterday evening, Birkirkara F.C. welcomed NK Olimpija Ljubljana to Malta, from Slovenia. NK Olimpija Ljubljana, who came in 3rd in the Slovenian PrvaLiga, were riding high after their first leg win over the Stripes. Birkirkara though didn’t give up and worked hard defensively to keep a clean-sheet in all 120 minutes of the game and offensively when midfielder Diego Venancio scored a stunning free-kick in the 26th minute of the game.

Birkirkara had many opportunities to seize the game by it’s hand and win the tie in 90, but they didn’t prove clinical enough. Their opponents also had plenty of chances, but like the Stripes, they didn’t capitalize on their chances. The game was so close that a penalty shootout was needed. The penalties started well for both teams, scoring their first 4 penalties but that trend ended when young exciting Maltese player Paul Mbong stepped-up and unfortunately missed. Goalkeeper Daniel Fernandes had to save the next penalty to keep Birkirkara in the match but unfortunately couldn’t, knocking out the Stripes after all their hard work.

Birkirkara have again proven their worth in European competitions. Their unfortunate penalty loss to English club West Ham United and their win against Scottish club Heart of Midlothian F.C., will always be remembered and this match reminded Maltese football fan’s that local clubs are still a force to be reckoned with.

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Photo Source : Birkirkara FC Facebook

Billie Eilish’s new album ‘Happier Than Ever’ absolutely delivers

Billie Eilish’s new album ‘Happier Than Ever’ absolutely delivers
Jul 30 2021 Share

Written alongside her brother Finneas, Billie Eilish’s recently released sophomore album ‘Happier Than Ever’ delivers in every way possible. Eilish had released the songs ‘My Future’, ‘Therefore I Am’, ‘Your Power’, ‘Lost Cause’ and ‘NDA’ ahead of the album, with the latter being the first song she ever wrote. Eilish explained in a ‘Rolling Stone’ interview that ‘almost none of the songs on this album are joyful’, despite the title. With Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee as inspirations for ‘Happier Than Ever’, Eilish stated that she wanted to create a timeless record, both in terms of public response and for herself. 

 

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A post shared by BILLIE EILISH (@billieeilish)

Eilish’s debut album ‘When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?’ and its single ‘Bad Guy’ earned the young singer four Grammy Awards in 2020. Taking home the 2020 Grammy Award for Best New Artist as well, Eilish stated that her single ‘Your Power’ is an ‘open letter to people who take advantage – mostly men’. Eilish fans completely immersed themselves in the newly released record, and with reason as it captures everything we love about the artist’s iconic music. 

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Photo Source:@billieeilish IG