90% Of Maltese Happy With Their Lives, Eurobarometer Reveals

Dec 16 2023

A recent Eurobarometer survey has unveiled an overwhelmingly positive sentiment among the residents of Malta, with a striking 90% expressing satisfaction with their personal lives. The survey, conducted among 504 participants from October 23rd to November 11th, offers a comprehensive insight into the local population’s outlook.

Nearly six out of ten participants (58%) foresee their lives remaining consistent over the next 12 months. Optimism prevails, with 25% anticipating improvement, while 13% express concerns about a potential decline.

Two-thirds of respondents reported infrequent or no problems paying bills in the past year. Nevertheless, a noteworthy 20% faced regular challenges meeting financial obligations.

The survey sheds light on the most pressing concerns in Malta, with a majority (65%) citing the cost of living as the predominant issue, followed by environment and climate change concerns at 26%. Interestingly, opinions on Malta’s economic situation are divided, with 49% perceiving it positively and an equal percentage expressing a negative view.

Eurobarometer, a valuable tool for understanding public opinion, is a series of surveys conducted by the European Commission. It serves as a barometer of societal attitudes, providing crucial insights into the thoughts and expectations of the Maltese population.

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New Record Temperature For November In Malta At 29.1°C

Dec 16 2023

November in Malta defied its usual climate patterns, setting a new temperature record at a balmy 29.1°C. The month, typically associated with cooling temperatures, experienced unseasonal warmth, leaving locals surprised and meteorologists intrigued.

The temperature extremes ranged from a mild low of 11.7°C on the 26th to an unprecedented high on another day. This unexpected warmth was accompanied by a notable lack of rain during the first half of November, with a mere 0.6mm of precipitation recorded. However, nature seemed to compensate for the dry spell with a sudden and intense burst of rainfall in the latter half of the month, totalling 53mm in a single day.

These weather anomalies have left experts examining the data to understand the factors contributing to this unusual pattern. Such deviations from the norm not only capture our own attention but also underscore the complex and dynamic nature of our planet’s climate system. As climate change continues to be a pressing global issue, monitoring and understanding these irregularities become crucial in predicting and adapting to future shifts in weather patterns.

Did you enjoy the November weather this year?

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Matthew Perry Died Of Accidental Ketamine Overdose, Report Says

Dec 16 2023

Beloved actor and FRIENDS star Matthew Perry has been found to have died from an accidental overdose on ketamine, a recent examiner’s report has stated.

The discovery concludes the investigation into the troubled TV star’s life after he was found unconscious in a swimming pool in his Los Angeles home at age 54. Most known for his role as Chandler Bing on hit TV sitcom Friends between 1994 and 2004,

Perry had struggled for decades with drug addiction, but was reportedly clean for as much as 19 months before the reports of his passing. Ketamine was among the various drugs the television star had struggled with, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Office stating that Perry’s cause of death was from acute effects of ketamine, with contributory factors including drowning, coronary artery disease and buprenorphine effects.

Ketamine is typically used illegally for recreational purposes due to its numbing and hallucinogenic effects but has been use by doctors as an anaesthetic in the past. It is also being researched for its potential effects on mental health.

In his memoir, Perry had commented on his relationship with ketamine, stating that the drug eased his pain and helped battle his depression: “Taking K is like being hit in the head with a giant happy shovel. But the hangover was rough and outweighed the shovel.”

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Study Confirms Many Cats Love To Play Fetch

Dec 15 2023

A groundbreaking survey of 1,000 cat owners by researchers from Sussex and Northumbria universities has challenged the perception that only dogs enjoy playing fetch.

Published in the journal Nature, the study sheds light on feline play habits and recommends owners consider a variety of activities to keep their cats happy and active.

The research suggests many cats instinctively enjoy play and prefer to be in control of the game without requiring training. Cats that initiated fetching sessions displayed more enthusiasm with increased retrievals and sessions per month.

Jemma Forman, a doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex School of Psychology, emphasises the importance of responding to cats’ play preferences for their welfare and the owner-cat relationship.

The survey gathered information from 924 owners of 1,154 cats, revealing that 94.4% of cats, regardless of breed, exhibited an innate ability to play fetch.

Notably, Siamese, Bengal, and Ragdoll breeds were reported as the most common fetch players. The study emphasises the importance of recognising and respecting cats’ natural play behaviours without necessarily requiring training interventions.

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