PN Critiques Challenges To Transport & Mobility In Malta

Apr 17 2024

The Nationalist Party has criticized the Maltese government, stating that the country is facing a national crisis due to serious deficiencies in roadworks planning across the entire nation.

According to the PN, after spending €700 million and 11 years, the situation has deteriorated rather than improved. Roads that were opened for infrastructure works are now being closed again after a few years to undertake new projects. The PN emphasizes that the country urgently needs comprehensive planning to avoid wasting millions of euros.

These concerns were raised during a press conference held on Triq il-Fortizza tal-Mosta, Mosta, addressed by Shadow Minister for Transport and Mobility, Mark Anthony Sammut, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Joe Giglio, and European Parliament election candidate, Louise Anne Pulis.

The PN representatives pointed out that roads where work was supposedly completed are now being closed again. Similar situations are occurring in Mosta, Ħal Luqa, Żurrieq, Xgħajra, and Ħaż-Żabbar, among others. They attribute these closures not to poor contractor work, but to government incompetence in planning, only now remembering that works were related to electricity services.

The PN emphasized the consequences of this lack of planning, including increased expenses and waste of resources, ongoing congestion causing more stress and inconvenience, as well as environmental degradation with roads being closed multiple times, causing significant disruption and poorly managed air quality.

The PN highlighted that this situation is creating a double inconvenience in traffic, especially when many roads are closed simultaneously, leaving people struggling to find alternative routes. They criticized the government for its incompetence and lack of planning, leading to the misallocation of funds, including European funds, which could have been used more responsibly had the work been executed with a proper plan.

The PN representatives stressed that the government should be using some of the allocated funds for consultations with industry experts. Instead, they accused the government of using funds to win over certain European Parliament candidates or backbenchers, rather than investing in effective infrastructure projects for the benefit of the nation.

#MaltaDaily

More English Books Borrowed From Local Libraries Than Maltese

Apr 17 2024

In 2023, a total of 685,469 books were borrowed from the 56 public libraries found across the Maltese Islands, including 58,575 e-books.

The majority of these borrowed books were physical copies. According to information from Malta Libraries, the majority of books borrowed from public libraries in 2023 were in English.

The Central Public Libraries of Malta and Gozo, Regional Libraries, and Local Libraries lent out 259,528 Maltese books while 354,158 English books were borrowed in 2023. For example, the Central Public Library of Beltisebħ lent out 6,910 Maltese books and 23,388 English books in the adult section in 2023. In the children’s section of the same library, 16,917 Maltese books and 51,662 English books were borrowed.

Among the 56 public libraries in the Maltese Islands, 33 lent out more English books than Maltese books.

These libraries included those in Ħ’Attard, Birkirkara, Ħal Safi, San Pawl, San Ġwann, Marsascala, Ħal Luqa, Siġġiewi, Sliema, and Santa Luċija.

Overall, 23 out of 56 public libraries lent out more Maltese books than English books, including libraries in Birżebbuġa, Fgura, Għargħur, Gudja, Ħamrun, Kalkara, Żurrieq, Xgħajra, Ħaż-Żabbar, and Ħal Qormi.

In the library of Ħal Għaxaq, an equal number of Maltese and English books were borrowed in 2023. In Gozo, most public libraries lent out more English books than Maltese books in 2023, with only the libraries of Qala and Żebbuġ lending out more Maltese books than English books.

#MaltaDaily

30 New Tallinja Buses To Join Maltese Roads

Apr 17 2024

Malta Public Transport (MPT) is investing over €8 million to introduce 30 new buses aimed at expanding the fleet and meeting the increasing demand for reliable and sustainable public transport.

This initiative was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works Chris Bonett and MPT Chairman Felipe Cosmen, alongside Transport Malta CEO Colonel Mark Mallia and MPT General Manager Konrad Pule.

Statistics reveal a notable 19% surge in bus passengers during the first three months of 2024 compared to the same period last year, totaling 17.2 million passengers. Additionally, the use of personalized Tallinja cards for bus travel has risen by 30%, from 188,000 to 224,000, indicating a growing preference for public transport among residents.

Minister Chris Bonett emphasized the importance of efficient public transport in addressing societal challenges, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing solutions for traffic issues by increasing the bus fleet. MPT Chairman Felipe Cosmen explained that this investment aims to enhance the efficiency of the public transport network.

Moreover, enhancements to the Tallinja App now allow passengers to track real-time bus arrivals and receive service updates, receiving positive feedback from users. The new buses, equipped with Euro 6 diesel technology, USB chargers, and free WiFi, prioritize passenger safety and comfort, contributing to an improved travel experience and supporting the journey towards a more sustainable future.

#MaltaDaily

Miss AI: World First AI Beauty Pageant

Apr 17 2024

According to a report by Hola, models and influencers are now able to participate in “Miss AI,” which is touted as the world’s inaugural artificial intelligence beauty pageant for women.

This unique competition, hosted by the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) in collaboration with Fanvue, a subscription-based AI content platform, will assess AI-generated contestants based on criteria including their appearance, demeanor, online presence, and technical craftsmanship.

WAICA, as stated on its official website, is committed to acknowledging the achievements of AI creators globally, with the Miss AI pageant focusing on evaluating contestants’ beauty, technical expertise, and influence to determine the recipient of the prestigious Miss AI crown.

Registration for this groundbreaking event has already commenced, with the winner of Miss AI set to receive a $5,000 cash prize, promotional support on Fanvue, and $5,000 worth of PR assistance. Runner-ups for second and third place will also be awarded cash prizes.

The winners of the competition will be unveiled during an online ceremony on May 10. Notable judges for the event include AI models Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini, media founder Andrew Bloch, and beauty pageant expert Sally-Ann Fawcett.

Fanvue co-founder Will Monanage expressed excitement about the growth of AI creators within the creator economy, highlighting the significant opportunities for expanding fanbases and monetizing content through their platform.

#MaltaDaily