Netflix is planning to introduce adverts after subscriber drop

Apr 21 2022

Steaming giant Netflix has revealed that it plans to introduce adverts as a means to offer cheaper streaming options but also combat dropping subscriber counts.

The lack of adverts is one of the more alluring aspects of Netflix, with viewers being able to binge episodes without having to tolerate dragging advertisements for various products and/or services.

However, co-CEO Reed Hastings has revealed plans to introduce ads as an option during the company’s quarterly earnings call on Tuesday 19th April.

Hastings explained that he has previously been against the complexity of advertising, and a big fan of the simplicity of subscription. Despite being a fan of this model, Hastings said he is a ‘bigger fan of consumer choice.’

‘Allowing consumers who would like to have a lower price, and are advertising-tolerant, get what they want, makes a lot of sense.’ Netflix will be examining exactly what needs to be done over the next year or two, so your account might be ad free for a while.

However, the position was made clear by Netflix COO Greg Peters that advertising is an exciting opportunity for them. ‘Think of us as quite open to offering even lower pries with advertising as a consumer choice.’

This comes just as Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers in the first quarter of the year, the first time Netflix lost subscribers since 2011. With new streaming platforms like Disney+ and HBO Max, the giant is seeking to adapt to a new competitive field.

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337 Ukrainian refugees given temporary protection in Malta

Apr 21 2022

The home affairs ministry revealed that a total of 337 Ukrainians have received temporary protection in Malta.

Voluntary organisation SOS Malta claimed that the number of arrivals fleeing the war-torn Russian neighbour could increase by the hundreds, posing a problem for the island.

The International Protection Agency received 338 requests until last week for temporary protection. The ministry confirmed that the majority of these displaced people are women and minors, with only 24 of the applicants being males.

Ukrainian men are remaining behind due to the eventual possibility that they may be drafted to fight against the invading Russian forces. The ministry revealed that the temporary protection directive applies to Ukrainian nationals who fled the country after February 24th.

The protection is for one year and may be renewed every six months for a maximum of 12. Ukrainians are offered opportunities for work, to apply for social benefits, healthcare and education for children.

SOS Malta, which has been raising funds for Ukrainian refugees, is one of 12 organisations on the Malta Refugee Council which flagged the lack of certainty on procedures for fleeing Ukrainians.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has been urged to establish a Humanitarian Coordination Committee as urgently as possible. Despite many are ready to help, key coordination and protocols were lacking members of the NGO revealed.

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BREAKING: EU moves to introduce universal chargers by 2026

Apr 20 2022

The European Union has voted to push ahead with the plan to introduce a universal charging standard for the majority of electronic devices.

MEPs in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee voted 43 to 2 to approve a report which was tabled by Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba.

This gives him a mandate to start negotiating with the EU Council and European Commission on a final text. Once negotiations are concluded and law passed, companies will have nine months to implement the rules.

This means that all mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, portable speakers and even handheld video game consoles will be charged via USB-C.

This will be dramatically cutting electronic waste, with manufacturers who use proprietary charging standards forced to make the switch for EU-sold devices.

Agius Saliba addressed a press conference on Wednesday, saying that research indicates that around 11,000 to 13,000 tonnes of electronic waste is being generated per year as a result of different chargers.

Three different chargers remain on the market after a voluntary initiative was taken years ago to reduce the amount of waste. This next move will cut the production by an incredible amount, and will help consumers re-use old electronics, save money and reduce inconveniences.

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Neutral Finland could potentially join NATO within weeks

Apr 20 2022

Finland’s parliament on Wednesday is set to start debating whether or not to seek NATO membership following the invasion of Ukraine.

The parliament session comes despite threats by Russia of nuclear buildup in the Baltic if Finland and Sweden join the The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin said last week that this could happen quite fast in a matter of weeks. The 200 members in Finland’s parliament received a government-commissioned white paper which assessed the implications of NATO membership.

Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia but is also an EU member. The report does not make recommendations but stresses that without NATO membership, Finland has no security guarantees.

The country’s government hopes to build a parliamentary consensus over the coming weeks. Finnish media reported that half of the 200 MPs fully support membership whereas only 12 oppose the decision.

Sweden is also discussing whether to submit a membership bid following the invasion of Ukraine. A poll held on Wednesday showed that 57% of Swedes favoured NATO membership. Finland and Sweden are the only EU member states alongside Ireland, Austria and Malta, which have a neutral status.

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