The Weeknd named world’s most popular artist by Guinness World Records

Mar 22 2023

Abel Tesfaye, known most prominently by his music artist name ‘The Weeknd’, has just made history after he was deemed the most popular artist in the world by Guinness World Records.

The organisation crowned Tesfaye with the title after analysing the Spotify data of some the biggest names in the music industry.

There’s two new world records for @theweeknd as he has become the first artist to reach 100 million monthly listeners on @Spotify 👏https://t.co/Z2zCtVay8n

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) March 20, 2023

And, considering that The Weeknd had previously broken records by becoming the first and only artist in Spotify history to reach 100 million monthly listeners as of the end of February, it made sense to bestow him with this new record.

Even in the few weeks since he crossed the 100 million threshold, the singer managed to gain even more streaming followers as they racked up to a whopping 111.4 million.

This comes after the ‘Starboy’ singer swept the 2023 Juno Awards in his home country of Canada, bagging four awards which included artist of the year and songwriter of the year for a record fourth time.

According to data reviewed by Guinness, there is a massive gap between The Weeknd and the second artist on this list. Miley Cyrus currently racks 82.4 million monthly listeners, right off the back of her eighth studio album ‘Endless Summer Vacation.’

turns out we’ve been friends for a while pic.twitter.com/r1NQo1LVAl

— Guinness World Records (@GWR) March 20, 2023

The artists are followed by Shakira (81.6 million), Ariana Grande (80.6 million), Taylor Swift (80.2 million), Rihanna (78.5 million) and Ed Sheehan (77.5 million).

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One of the world’s best mixologists is coming to Malta

One of the world's best cocktail artists is taking over Malta's own AKI

Mar 21 2023

One of the world’s best cocktail artists is coming to Malta for a collaboration between his own bar Drink Kong and Malta’s AKI in Valletta. Patrick Pistolesi is the mind behind ‘Instinct Bar’ Drink Kong, the Japanese street style-inspired phenomenon which was ranked number 10 in the world by the ‘Top 500 Bars’ organisation and number 16 by ‘The World’s 50 Best Bars’, amongst other acclamations.

On 23rd March, there will be a seminar explaining the collaboration, together with Pistolesi’s explanation of mixology and preparation of some cocktails, along with a €25 cocktail tasting.

On the 24th, Pistolesi will be taking over AKI, were he shall be creating some of his signature cocktails & a set made specifically for AKI. Together with a live DJ and roaming saxophonist, The Upper Bar shall also have a set cocktail menu for €35 with a tasting menu of 3 top cocktails of the evening and finger food.

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A post shared by Drink Kong ⚡️ Instinct bar / Cocktail bar⚡️ (@drinkkongbar)

The two bars share a common vision, seeing cocktails not only as a symphony of ingredients, “but as a work of art through which we can express our own identity and style, and creating a culture that savours and appreciates every single sip.” So if you’re a cocktail lover and appreciate all things mixology… don’t miss this one.

Take yourself on a one-of-a-kind cocktail trip and book your place for the Art of Mixology seminar or the Kong Take Over now!

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G7 Events First of May Special returns to Café del Mar with UK hitmaker Nathan Dawe

UK hitmaker Nathan Dawe to headline G7 Events First of May Special at Café del Mar

Mar 21 2023

First of May is almost here, and as per usual, G7 Events are back with their annual Café Del Mar spectacular, this time featuring prominent UK hitmaker Nathan Dawe.

Dawe will join the G7 crew at Café Del Mar for the much-anticipated First of May special, where he will be dropping his long list of global hits such as ’21 Reasons’, ‘No Time For Tears’, ‘Sweet Lies’ and many others.

From headlining his own residency in Ibiza to performing at Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball, Dawe will finally touch base in Malta, alongside a host of local favourites for what is unofficially considered the beginning of summer in Malta.

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A post shared by Ibiza Rocks (@ibizarocks)

So get your shades ready, because an evening of ice cold cocktails, good vibes and great music awaits at Café Del Mar on the First of May 2023.

Limited free invites are out on Monday 27th March – don’t miss out.

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Up to 1,300 applications for electric vehicle grants in 2022

Mar 21 2023

It was revealed by Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett that more than 1,300 applications for grants to help pay for electric vehicles were submitted in 2022.

This was done during the launch of a €15 million scheme for the purchase of new electric vehicles by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia and Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett.

This scheme for the purchase of new electric vehicles, including new motorcycles, for private individuals, non-government organisations, businesses and private companies is funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP).

This grant scheme shall support the purchase of new electric vehicles in EU Category L, M and N, consisting of passenger cars, vans, goods-carrying vehicles, minibuses, coaches, quadricycles, motorcycles, and pedelecs, with the aim of reducing the number of older conventional motor vehicles from the road.

Minister Farrugia explained that this is just one scheme out of many that Transport Malta will be launching in order to promote the use of cleaner vehicles. “Through this scheme, we are continuing to promote the use of cleaner and more environmentally sustainable means of transport. This is a direct investment in people, as we are not only offering them financial help to replace their vehicle, but also a direct investment in better air quality. It is worth reminding that the transport sector is the biggest contributor to air pollution and thus as a government, we will continue to invest in this area,” stated Minister Farrugia.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bonett said that the scheme for electric vehicles financed by the RRP is helping the transport sector become more sustainable and decrease emissions caused by private vehicles. “€50 million are allocated over three years, whereby €15 million were allocated in 2022, a further €15 million will be allocated during this year and the last 20 million by the end of 2024, so that more drivers switch to electric vehicles,” stated the parliamentary secretary.

From his end, Transport Malta’s (TM) Chief Officer for Land Transport Pierre Montebello said that as a transport regulator in our country, TM is committed to offer more opportunities to promote better and more environmentally sustainable transport. “We launched this scheme precisely for this reason, and together with other initiatives such as free public transport, TM is ensuring that we have cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transport in our country,” he added.

Applicants who have purchased their vehicle from 1 January 2023 onwards and who meet the scheme’s criteria, are eligible for this scheme. More information is available here.

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