New Mercedes can now be driven using your thoughts

Sep 17 2021

The future of driving cars might not be self-driving and definitely not steering wheels – it’s mind control! The Mercedes Vision AVTR is car powered not only through electricity but also by the driver’s brain. The vehicle was displayed this week in Germany at the IAA Mobility 2021, which is the world’s largest mobility of the future event. The car is still in the concept phase of development but the Brain Computer Interface is what captures the attention… quite literally.

IN PICS | Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept can read your mind

The automaker has created this concept car in collaboration with @Disney and it takes inspiration from the movie popular sci-fi movie, #Avatar. @IAAmobility

Details: https://t.co/svdJLFDUts pic.twitter.com/dd6QWN4D7X

— HT Auto (@HTAutotweets) September 7, 2021

Changing the radio station or switching lights on and off all fall under the mind controlling technology. The new technology invites numerous possibilities. On the bright side, it offers people unable to drive cars physically to be able to pilot a car. However, the issue of traffic and accidents are always brought up. Do you think this technology would work on Malta’s roads? With a 60% increase in traffic accidents in the second quarter of 2021, it would be quite a gamble to see whether thought-powered cars would solve the issue.

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Photo Source: HT Auto Twitter

Government invests €21,000 in Frame Football apparatus

Sep 17 2021

Yesterday, the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing with the aid of SportMalta’s chief executive Mark Cutajar and the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport announced a financial contribution of €21,000 to Frame Football Malta. Frame Football is a variation of Football that allows people with a disability to play the Beautiful Game.

The financial contribution of €21,000 will go towards buying 31 new frames to further encourage children with disabilities to start the sport. Julia Portelli, Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing said “This investment shows in a tangible way that the principle of inclusion is not just something written on a paper but is being put in practice in a concrete way,”. The minister also had this to say about organisations like Frame Football Malta; “The contribution of voluntary organisations like Frame Football Malta further strengthens our work in this direction,”

The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Clifton Grima spoke about the investment, saying that “Sport unites us, but to really say that through sport everyone is included we have to invest so that every person, irrespective of whether they have a disability or not, can participate in sport.” Dr Grima also said that the investment will not only help the children physically but also socially, as the sport would help them communicate better and grow their confidence.

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15% of 13 to 16 year olds in survey thought of self harm during the pandemic

Sep 17 2021

A new survey has revealed how around 15% of students between the ages of 13 and 16 considered self-harm at least once throughout the pandemic’s course. Conducted by the Lisa Maria Foundation, the survey was distributed to students between ages of 7 and 16 in 29 different schools across the Maltese islands. 1,951 responded, asked how they experienced living with the pandemic and how it impacted well-being.

It was reported that 15% of students in the cohort of 13 and 16 year olds thought of harming themselves. 61% revealed that they felt uneasy and afraid about the future, with a whopping 87% expressing concern about their family’s well-being during the pandemic. With 52% stating they feel happy socialising, 78% said they spent a lot more time alone during he pandemic. 69% also stated they stopped participating in sports and other extracurricular activities. Full results to be published during a press conference by the Foundation on 29th of October.

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Photo Source: kira schwarz

Limited entrance to fully-jabbed welcomed by most clubs and restaurants

Sep 17 2021

As many establishments such as restaurants and nightclubs struggle under the COVID-19 burdens, the authorities’ regulation to allow entrance only for the fully vaccinated has been generally welcomed by most. According to the Malta Chamber of SMEs reported that most of those operating in the entertainment and leisure industry were ‘eager for a relaxation in some pandemic measures.’ Health Minister Chris Fearne also announced that these places will enjoy further easing of social measures due to this.

Times of Malta newsroom was informed that the majority of Paceville clubs are also eager to introduce such measures. Allowing limited entrance to the fully-jabbed might extend their opening hours or even shorten distance between tables. With 90% of the population vaccinated, many owners see this as a positive move as it also helps in dealing with staff shortages and additional costs.

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Photo Source: Helena Lopes, Pharmaceutical Technology