Ella Portelli Shines At Miss Universe El Salvador

Nov 10 2023

Ella Portelli is currently representing Malta at Miss Universe El Salvador, the 72nd edition of the competition.

Welcomed to the event red carpet and other events, Ella got the opportunity to connect with other representatives from all over the globe, taking a few snapshots with Miss Canada and Miss Lebanon amongst others.

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A post shared by Ella Sophie Portelli 🦋 (@ellaportelli)

Enjoying her time in El Salvador by hitting some of the local beaches and professional photoshoots, we can’t wait to see Ella take to the big stage!

#MaltaDaily

Matt Blxck Treats Mum With Private Flight After Cancer Battle

Nov 10 2023

Following her first round of radiotherapy, after having gone through yet another three years of immunotherapy prior to that, Matt Blxck’s mum was treated by her son with a private jet ferry flight.

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A post shared by MATT BLXCK (@mattblxck_official)

The two embarked on an adorable flight to enjoy their time together after such a difficult ordeal for his beloved mother.

Matt documented the experience on social media, showcasing the plane and its amenities whilst also ticking another goal off the bucket list for him and his mother.

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Student Pilots Start Petition To Combat Flight Training Restrictions

Nov 10 2023

In a letter and petition addressed to aviation authorities, student pilots from diverse local flight schools have outlined the challenges impeding their professional training.

Urging immediate attention, they emphasize the critical need for effective communication and collaboration between authorities and the aviation training community to alleviate the pressing issues wreaking havoc on their education.

The issues stem from two instances of restrictions, the first in January, where the Air Traffic Controllers Association ordered the cessation of intersection take-offs and touch-and-go exercises for code A aircraft.

This mandate compelled students to backtrack the entire length of a 3.5-kilometer runway, resulting in significant delays, financial burdens, and environmental concerns due to prolonged engine run times.

The denial of touch-and-go training further obstructed crucial phases of flight education, forcing students to either halt training or incur additional costs by flying to Comiso Airport in Sicily. Now facing a fresh emergency, the closure of the secondary runway 23/05 at Malta International Airport for maintenance has restricted flying to Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, disrupting the students’ schedules.

These limitations, exacerbated by stringent European Aviation Safety Association (EASA) regulations, incur additional expenses and weather-related cancellations during the limited operational days.

Seeking clarification on compensations for extra block time, flight time, handling charges, and landing charges, the student pilots implore relevant authorities, including the Minister for Transport and Education, Malta Air Traffic Services, and Malta International Airport, to consider the profound impact on students and the training industry.

Expressing gratitude for the support of their schools, the students anticipate collaborative efforts towards a resolution preserving the integrity of aviation training and upholding safety standards. A petition has been launched to address these issues, underscoring the urgency of the matter.

#MaltaDaily

Pay For Ad-Free Facebook? Here’s What’s Going On

Nov 10 2023

Facebook and Instagram users are now faced with a choice: pay €10 or €12 monthly for an ad-free experience or continue accessing the platforms for free with ads.

Meta, the parent company, is extending this choice to Instagram users as well, aligning with tougher EU rules targeting tech giants.

In response to significant fines and in adherence to European regulations, Meta, while advocating for an ad-supported internet, emphasizes its commitment to complying with regulatory requirements. The subscription model, offering users an ad-free experience for a fee, is seen as a strategic move to navigate evolving regulations.

Starting at €9.99 per month on web browsers and €12.99 on iOS and Android, these prices will increase by €6 and €8, respectively, from March.

Meta attributes the higher costs for iOS and Android users to fees from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This adjustment coincides with the introduction of the EU’s Digital Markets Act, introducing stricter rules on advertising to curb the influence of big tech.

Despite potential challenges for giants like Meta, MEP Alex Agius Saliba sees the subscription model as Meta’s anticipation of forthcoming rules, noting the positive aspect of giving users a choice between subscription and ad-supported models.

Regardless of user choice, the new rules on targeted advertising will apply. Meta’s proactive announcement aims to alleviate concerns raised by European regulators, considering the company’s prior substantial fines for breaches of advertising and data protection rules in 2022.

#MaltaDaily