Malta set to face reigning European champions Italy at Ta’ Qali tomorrow

Mar 25 2023

Malta are set to play Italy at the National Stadium Ta’ Qali on Sunday in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers.

In 17 head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Italy have won 14 games and drawn three.

Malta come into this game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Blagoja Milevski’s North Macedonia in the league. Second-half goals from Napoli midfielder Elif Elmas and Burnley winger Darko Churlinov secured the win for North Macedonia. Midfielder Yannick Yankam scored the goal for Malta.

Italy, on the other hand, lost 2-1 to 10-man England in their most recent game. First-half goals from West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice and Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane sealed the win for Gareth Southgate’s England, who had Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw sent off late in the second half. Tigre striker Mateo Retegui scored the goal for Italy.

Before finally falling to England on Thursday, Italy had won each of their previous 14 qualification games and were unbeaten in 40. Having also beaten Malta in all four past meetings without conceding a goal, Italy will expect to get off the mark with a first win of the campaign.

The 16,000 seats at Ta’ Qali National Stadium have all been sold, with tickets selling for up to €70 at the west stand and €35 at the Millennium Stand. Cheaper €20 tickets at the stadium’s south end have been sold out since January.

Malta and Italy will both be holding a press conference later on today before holding a final training session before tomorrow’s encounter.

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You will effectively be losing one hour of sleep tonight

Mar 25 2023

Your phone will probably do it for you but don’t forget that you will effectively be losing one hour of sleep tonight!

Daylight saving time (DST) is the practice of advancing the clocks during warmer months so that darkness falls at a later clock time, resulting in longer evenings and shorter mornings.

The concept was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784 and has been adopted by many countries around the world.

In Malta, DST is observed from the last Sunday in March until the last Sunday in October. This means that on March 26, 2023, at 2:00 am local time, clocks will be advanced by one hour, effectively “losing” one hour of sleep. The purpose of this time shift is to make the most of the longer daylight hours during the summer months.

Advocates of DST argue that it has several benefits. For one, it helps to conserve energy by reducing the demand for artificial lighting during the evening hours. It also provides more opportunities for outdoor activities such as sports and recreation, as well as increased opportunities for tourism.

Opponents of DST argue that the time change disrupts people’s natural sleep patterns and can lead to health problems such as sleep deprivation, headaches, and increased stress levels. They also argue that the energy savings are negligible and that the practice causes confusion and inconvenience for businesses and individuals.

Despite the arguments for and against DST, many countries around the world continue to observe it.

In Malta, the practice has been in place since 1974 and is widely accepted by the population. However, there are always debates about whether or not the practice is still necessary or if it should be abolished.

As the clocks are set to advance in Malta tonight, it is important for individuals to adjust their schedules accordingly and prepare for the loss of one hour of sleep. Whether you are a supporter or opponent of DST, it is clear that the practice will continue to be a topic of discussion and debate in Malta and around the world.

photo source: Joseph Galea

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Utah bans Under 18s from using social media without parental consent

Mar 25 2023

Utah has implemented new measures to safeguard young people’s mental health and ensure that social media companies are accountable for their actions.

It is now the first US state to require social media firms to obtain parental consent before children can use their apps and verify that users are at least 18 years old.

The new bills give parents access to their children’s online accounts, including posts and private messages.

A social media curfew will also be enforced between 22:30 and 06:30, unless adjusted by the child’s parents.

These measures, set to take effect on March 1, 2024, are designed to make it easier to take legal action against social media companies.

The bills have been well-received by advocacy groups such as Common Sense Media, who see it as a step forward in holding social media companies accountable. However, some free speech lawyers have raised concerns that the bill may put some children at risk, including those in abusive households or from the LGBT community.

Despite this, social media companies like Facebook have stated that they have robust tools to keep children safe.

The implementation of these measures in Utah comes as other US states, both Republican-led and Democrat-led, are also considering similar legislation.

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‘The Rock’ shares heart-warming video with his daughters

Mar 25 2023

In an Instagram post, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson shared a heartwarming video of his two daughters giving him a makeover.

The outcome is hilarious, as his daughters give him a full-on makeover with makeup, including lipstick on his head and face. He explained that it took him an hour to take it off even though one of his daughters is heard screaming “you need more make-up daddy.”

Despite the unexpected outcome, Johnson aknowledges that there will come a time when these things won’t matter to his daughters anymore. He embraces the moment, and his caption reads, “Hey, they’ll be a time down the road when this stuff won’t matter to them anymore, so sign me up – daddy’s in.”

This Instagram post shows that even the busiest and most successful people prioritise spending quality time with their children. It also highlights the importance of embracing those moments, even if they may not go as planned.

In a world where social media is often used to portray a perfect life, this post is a refreshing reminder that sometimes the most memorable moments are the unexpected ones.

#MaltaDaily