ALS activist Maria Formosa wins Mvintage Woman of the Year award

Oct 4 2022

Executive secretary at ALS Malta and wife of ALS activist Bjorn Formosa, Maria, bagged the Woman of the Year award during yesterday’s Mvintage ceremony.

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A post shared by Bjorn Formosa (@bjornformosa)

Maria was one of 7 remarkable women shortlisted for the award, and she was chosen via public vote for her stellar work to help those in need.

Around 11,000 votes were cast, and Maria invited Puttinu Cares President Angele Cuschieri to share in the victory alongside her.

The first edition of the award was directed at promoting female empowerment. Among the the women shortlisted were also LGBTQ activist Gabi Calleja, women’s rights activist Lara Dimitrijevic, Jays of Sunshine founder Maxine Attard, businesswoman Helga Ellul and influencer Shelley Caruana.

Through such awards, the local jewellery brand wants to inspire more women to input themselves in the community and be the role models they can truly be.

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Approved: Most electronic devices in EU to use USB-C by 2024

Oct 4 2022

The EU has officially voted in the proposal to universalise all electronics chargers across the bloc after Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba tabled the plan.

The European Union will be gradually making the USB-C the only charger used for mobile phones, tablets, cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld video game consoles and even portable speakers.

Over 96% of the European Parliament gave their stamp of approval for the new law, which will see the entirety of the EU adopt the USB-C chargers over the next few years.

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted 43 to 2 in favour to approve the report tabled by Agius Saliba six months ago. This gave him a mandate to negotiate with the EU council and EU commission on a final rendition of the law.

Aimed at drastically cutting electronic waste, the law will see tech companies operating in the bloc using the USB-C and phasing out all other variables by 2026.

Research tabled by Agius Saliba around six months ago indicated that around 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of electronic waste is generated per year due to there being multiple chargers in circulation.

Agius Saliba had been meeting with various CEOs and management teams of tech giants to negotiate for this new law, with Apple even reportedly working to change iPhone structures starting in 2023 to accommodate the USB-C.

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Dangerous working conditions persist despite public outcry

Oct 4 2022

An image sent to this newsroom shows a construction worker in Balzan engaged in highly unsafe work as he stands on a wooden plank suspended various storeys up in the air.

It is unknown what works were being undertaken but the worker could be clearly seen wearing no safety harnesses or taking any precautions necessary to avoid potential risks.

There have been several public outcries for more safety precautions to be implemented on the workplace following various accidents and fatalities which took place in such circumstances.

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Malta braces for severe influenza outbreak in winter doctors warn

Oct 4 2022

We could be in for a rather severe outbreak of influenza this winter, with the health authorities reporting more patients than usual as summer closes off.

Speaking to Times of Malta, spokespersons for the health ministry revealed that local and international influenza surveillance hint at the potential outbreak.

One of the factors contributing to the spike in influenza cases could be the fact that this will be the first winter since the COVID pandemic hit two years ago.

This means there will be no use of face masks, social distancing and other measures which prevented the spread of not just COVID-19 but other viruses.

The local government offers the influenza vaccine to everyone for free every year, with priority given to the elderly and the vulnerable. The next rollout will be announced soon, the authorities told the newsroom.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, flu outbreaks saw a high number of hospitalisations during various years. 2018 saw Mater Dei reaching full capacity in mid-January due to the flu.

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