VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar to Face Anorthosis Famagusta in FIBA Europe Cup Qualifiers

Jul 19 2024

Malta’s National Basketball Champions, The VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar BC, will face off against Anorthosis Famagusta from Cyprus in the FIBA Europe Cup 24/25 qualifiers.

The matchups were determined during the official draws held today by FIBA Europe in Munich.

The first leg of this crucial qualifier will take place on September 24, 2024, at the Ta’ Qali Basketball Pavilion in Malta, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 PM.

The return leg will follow on September 27, 2024, in Cyprus. Both clubs are already engaging in discussions aimed at fostering future initiatives and collaborations beyond these competitive fixtures.

Dr. Ivan Riolo, President of VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar BC, expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming games. “We are looking forward to facing Anorthosis Famagusta next September for our Qualifying Game. The club has received significant support and interest locally following its announcement on Tuesday. This is not just a first for the club, but something Maltese basketball clubs should keep looking at year on year, as it will allow the Maltese basketball game to develop further and Maltese basketball players to gain international exposure,” Dr. Riolo stated.

He further emphasised the broader impact of this opportunity, noting, “This is not just an achievement for Starlites Naxxar Basketball Club, but an achievement for the Maltese basketball community.”

The club promises to release more details about the competition, including ticket information and team updates, in the coming weeks. The VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar BC is supported by VisitMalta, Sport Malta, Teamsport, KM Malta Airlines, and JSD.

For companies or brands interested in partnering with VisitMalta Starlites Naxxar BC for the competition, inquiries can be directed to the club’s marketing team at [email protected].

This historic participation marks a significant milestone for Maltese basketball, providing local players with a platform to showcase their talents on an international stage and helping to elevate the sport’s profile within the Maltese community.

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PN Leader Bernard Grech Calls Out Recent Power Cuts

Jul 19 2024

In a video posted online, Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech said that the power outages that Malta and Gozo experienced during the past days, are impacting thousands of families and many individuals with certain medical conditions.

Bernard Grech shared the story of a person with sleep apnea who told him they go to bed every night fearing that a power cut might cause their breathing machine to stop, putting their life at risk.

The Nationalist Party vowed that if trusted to be in government, they would invest more in the energy sector to prevent the frequent power cuts currently occurring.

Bernard Grech also stated that although the Government claimed to have purchased a temporary power station for €46 million, it has not yet arrived. He also attributed the current energy crisis to the government’s lack of investment over the past 10 years.

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Fly to Ibiza on Universal Air’s Summer Party Schedule

Jul 19 2024

Universal Air, Malta’s new Mediterranean airline, has announced its summer schedule with the launch of four new routes, including Malta-Ibiza. The twice-weekly flight between the two Mediterranean islands will run throughout the summer on Fridays and Sundays.

Situated in the Balearic Islands, Ibiza is renowned for its aqua blue waters, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural tapestry. It boasts some of Europe’s most breathtaking beaches. From the lively shores of Ses Salines to the tranquil beauty of Cala Comte and family-friendly Cala Bassa, each beach offers crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

The island also harbours rich cultural heritage site like Dalt Vila, the UNESCO-listed old town, with its labyrinthine streets, ancient fortifications, and panoramic views, which tells tourists a compelling story of the island’s past.

For those seeking “the ultimate party experience”, Ibiza is globally celebrated for its nightlife, home to clubs like Pacha and Amnesia, where world-class DJs play tunes until dawn.

Passengers traveling with Universal Air will board one of the airline’s fleet of 78-seater Dash 8-400 aircraft, known for their comfort and fuel efficiency. Prices from Malta to Ibiza start from as little as 46 Euros per seat one way, including 15kg of checked luggage and a 7kg bag allowance in the cabin.

Universal Air’s CEO, Simon Cook, says: “These routes are tailored to both leisure and business travellers, and our flights connect a variety of Mediterranean destinations to each other. The route to Ibiza is about connecting tourists to iconic sights and regional hot spots. We are excited about the potential this holds for the tourist industry and the broader economic benefits they will generate for each destination.”

Universal Air’s summer flight schedule will run until October with flights operating from Malta to Corfu and Palermo, Sicily, three times a week, twice-weekly flights to Nice, and Ibiza.

For further information, please visit www.flyuniversalair.com. Fly to Ibiza on Universal Air’s summer party schedule.

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Study Finds People More Proficient In English Than Maltese In Malta

Jul 19 2024

A study done by the National Statistics Office shows that persons aged 15-64 are overall more proficient in speaking and using English than they are Maltese, the nation’s mother tongue.

The study showed how 96% of Maltese aged 15-64 were proficient in English, whilst 90.4% of Maltese aged 15 to 64 were proficient in Maltese.

This means that even though there is a large amount of people who are proficient in Maltese, there are still more who are better and more comfortable in English.

It was also revealed that a whopping 62% of those aged between 15-64 were proficient in Italian, it is thought that the older generation is mainly the reason for this stat.

Other languages such as French, German, Spanish and Arabic have all joined the group of most commonly proficient languages in Malta.

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