New Art Exhibition ‘TOPIA’ Opens at MUŻA

Oct 23 2024

The Ministry for National Heritage, Arts, and Local Government has launched a new exhibition titled ‘TOPIA’ at MUŻA, the National Museum of Community Art in Valletta. The exhibition, by London-based artist Barnaby Barford, will run until January 19, 2025, offering a unique perspective on Malta’s rich cultural and socio-economic fabric through its local shops.

Minister Owen Bonnici emphasized Heritage Malta’s commitment to fostering cultural dialogue, highlighting how ‘TOPIA’ merges art and heritage to spark conversations about Malta’s evolving communities. The exhibition features over 11,000 photos of shops across Malta and Gozo, transformed into 1,000 hand-crafted porcelain representations. These intricate models invite visitors to reflect on the changing nature of local businesses.

MUŻA curator Dr. Katya Micallef noted the exhibition’s ability to evoke nostalgia and contemplation on the future of these shops, while Noel Zammit, CEO of Heritage Malta, underscored its cultural significance.

The exhibition also includes recorded interviews with shop owners, offering deeper insights into the people behind the businesses. Visitors can purchase the unique porcelain artworks, with proceeds supporting Heritage Malta’s community and contemporary art initiatives.

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Net Average 33 New Motor Vehicles Per Day In Q3

Oct 23 2024

In the third quarter of 2024, the stock of licensed motor vehicles rose by 3,030 from the previous quarter, reaching a total of 443,193 by the end of September, NSO reported.

Among these, 74.3% were passenger cars, 14.3% were commercial and agricultural vehicles, and 10.8% comprised motorcycles, E-bikes, PA-bikes, E-kick scooters, quadricycles, and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).

Buses and minibuses accounted for less than 1%. The net average increase during the quarter was 33 vehicles per day.

A total of 5,621 newly licensed motor vehicles were registered during this period, with 3,579 (63.7%) being passenger cars and 1,114 (19.8%) motorcycles/E-bikes/PA-bikes.

Newly licensed ‘new’ motor vehicles totalled 3,165 (56.3%), while ‘used’ motor vehicles amounted to 2,456 (43.7%). An average of 61 vehicles were newly licensed each day.

During the quarter, 6,396 vehicles were removed from the road due to restrictions, with 40.7% garaged, 31.0% resold, and 26.6% scrapped. Restrictions ended for 4,049 vehicles, primarily garaged (50.2%) or resold (48.7%).

As of September 2024, 58.4% of vehicles had petrol engines, 35.3% diesel engines, and 3.6% electric or plug-in hybrids, marking increases in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations.

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Obama Raps Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’ During Rally

Oct 23 2024

Barack Obama showed his support for Kamala Harris in a unique way during a rally in Detroit, where he was introduced by Eminem.

The rapper, a vocal supporter of Harris and the Democratic presidential nominee, spoke about the importance of freedom of speech before introducing Obama.

Obama humorously admitted feeling nervous after Eminem’s performance and began to rap lyrics from Eminem’s hit “Lose Yourself,” referencing the iconic film “8 Mile.”

The crowd reacted enthusiastically as he delivered lines about nervousness and confidence, expressing his admiration for Eminem.

Eminem, who hails from Detroit, emphasized the significance of the city and state in the upcoming election, urging attendees to use their voices and vote. He advocated for freedom of expression and highlighted Harris’s commitment to upholding these values.

The rapper has previously supported Obama and endorsed Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in 2020, even launching a campaign featuring “Lose Yourself.”

Eminem has also been critical of Donald Trump, expressing his views through music, including a notable freestyle directed at the former president in 2017. The rally showcased the fusion of music and politics, rallying support for Harris’s campaign.

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Video Sources: Hollywood Curry, Kamala HQ

Voice Of Patrick Star Says He Will Keep Doing It Until His Voice Box Gives Out

Oct 23 2024

At Mipcom in Cannes, voice actors Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke, known for portraying SpongeBob and Patrick on SpongeBob SquarePants, celebrated the franchise’s 25th anniversary. During a discussion with Variety, they shared their excitement about representing the show internationally and how their enthusiasm for the job has remained unchanged over the years.

Reflecting on their journey, Fagerbakke noted that after more than a decade on the show, they began traveling abroad, enjoying events like Mipcom. Kenny expressed his joy at seeing SpongeBob among billboards of FBI agents and action heroes, stating, “I love being the odd man out.”

Both actors reflected on the longevity of the series, with Kenny mentioning how the franchise has spanned his career, while Fagerbakke emphasized how grateful they are for the steady work. Kenny also praised the ongoing innovation within the SpongeBob universe, including movies, video games, and upcoming holiday specials like “SpongeBob & Sandy’s Country Christmas.” The actors agreed they wouldn’t trade their roles for anything, saying their passion for the show remains as strong as ever after 25 years.

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