Demand for abortion pills doubled in Malta during COVID-19 pandemic

May 15 2022

In data shared with MaltaToday, the demand for apportion pills doubled over the last two years due to travel restrictions implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Women on Web, an international online abortion service, provided the data to Doctors for Choice representatives in Malta. They revealed that over the last five years, 632 abortion pills were shipped to Malta.

In just 2021, 248 pills were shipped to Malta, compared to 173 in 2020. The 10th district, consisting of Gzira, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Naxxar, Pembroke, St Julian’s and Paceville, had the highest number of purchases in 2021.

Professor Isabel Stabile said that the pandemic has most certainly shifted women’s options when it comes to abortion. Travelling to get an abortion wasn’t easy pre-pandemic […] For many women, the cost is insurmountable. The pandemic has only worsened this.’

This follows a 2020 alarm raised by UK-based charity Abortion Support Network which pointed to a surge in requests from Malta during the pandemic. However, the numbers are suspected to be much larger.

Prof. Stabile said that the data comes from only one provider, Women on Web. Others do no release their data, meaning that we cannot know how many women travel to other countries to get abortions.

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Emma placed in 16th place in Eurovision semi-final

May 15 2022

According to newly released statistics and results, Malta’s Emma Muscat placed in 16th place during the second semi-final.

Many Maltese were disappointed with the fact that the country’s ambassador did not qualify to the final round of the competition. According to the Eurovision’s official website, Malta placed in 16th place, just above Montenegro and Georgia, with the latter in last (18th) place.

Emma’s ‘I Am What I Am’ received a total of 47 points, with 20 points coming from the tele-voting and 27 from the jury.

Through tele-voting, Malta received 3 points each from Ireland, Estonia, Macedonia, and Azerbaijan. Serbia, Belgium and Sweden gave Malta 2 points, whereas Montenegro and Cyprus gave Emma 1 point.

The winners of this year’s edition of the competition were Ukraine, despite their victory coming with mixed reactions as well as a unique challenge for the competition’s organising committee due to the ongoing Russian invasion.

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Apple set to replace lightning port with USB-C amid calls to universalise chargers

May 15 2022

Apple is reportedly being rumoured to change the aesthetic and structure of the new iPhone starting in the year 2023 by replacing the Lightning Ports with streamline USB-C.

This comes as the European Union votes to push ahead with the plan to introduce a universal charging standard for the majority of electronic devices. The measure is being spear-headed by Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told Mac Rumours that Apple’s installation of USB-C in iPhones appears to have been influenced by the policy change in the European Union.

Most of Apple’s iPad lineup, along with Macs, utilise the USB-C format for faster transfer speeds and charging. This is still a very recent development for Apple, and one shouldn’t expect to see it in this year’s lineup.

The switch would be quite a big one, but it does not come as a complete surprise. Apple has already moved the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini to USB-C. There are also rumours however that Apple is trying to develop a port-less iPhone, but this could be a long way off.

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Birkirkara women crowned champions for the 10th time in winning streak

May 15 2022

A late game Birkirkara goal sealed the unbeaten League streak for the female players as they wrap up a massively successful 2021/2022 MFA Women’s League run.

Birkirkara faced off against Swieqi United, whilst Mgarr United and Raiders Lija beating San Gwann and Kirkop United during their respective campaigns.

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During the sensational Birkirkara match, Sara Saliba, the winner of the U-20’s title, scored five minutes from time as her team managed to push back Swieqi, ensuring their goal to beat the unbeaten streak established by Hibernians.

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Birkirkara have managed to keep up the streak throughout 69 league games, matching a domestic record by Hibernians. If the former win the 2022/2023 season opener, the Stripes will managed to beat the streak.

Prior to ensuing celebrations, Birkirkara were presented with the MFA Women’s League’s trophy by Malta FA vice-president Ludovico Micallef as they now seal their 10th domestic championship.

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