No new COVID-19 clusters linked to Paceville clubs

Sep 15 2021

According to the health authorities, no new active COVID-19 cases have been linked to Malta’s Entertainment Mecca Paceville. A spokesperson for the health authorities told newsroom Times of Malta that most recent cases are sporadic, with the newsroom visiting Paceville nightclubs amid reports of owners and partygoers not sticking to pandemic regulations. Revellers allegedly crowded the dance floor and the bar to order drinks, despite regulations forbidding both.

In an attempt to prevent spread of COVID-19, health authorities still have strict rules for bars, nightclubs and such establishments. Deputy President of the Malta Chamber of SMEs Philip Fenech stated that given the high vaccination rate and protocols in place, rules should start to be eased, even if the situation does not return to pre-pandemic conditions. Seeing that no new clusters are linked to such establishments, Fenech argued that we can ‘move to the next step of stability and slowly ease more measures.’

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Photo Source: Nightlife City Guide

What did Apple launch at yesterday’s California Streaming event?

Sep 15 2021

Following much speculation ahead of this year’s holiday season, Apple held its annual product launch event yesterday in the highly-anticipated ‘California streaming’ event and launched a range of new products.

The iPhone-centric event welcomed a the new iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max with set of repositioned cameras and ProMotion Displays in the Max models, bidding farewell to the 64GB models with its 128GB starting at $699.

Despite not presenting any groundbreaking changes, the iPhone saw a return to the basics with what apple called the “fastest CPU in any smartphone”, a new A15 Bionic chip and improved machine learning capabilities such as real-time video and text analysis.

Apple then went on to surprisingly introduce a new range of iPads, rocking the powerful A13 chip which ensures faster and smoother performs, with the company highlighting that the device is ‘3 times faster than a Chromebook’.

With the many calling the iPad unveiling ‘the star of the show’, the Apple Watch Series 7 soon followed, with larger screen sizes, full on-screen keyboard and larger case sizes. The Series 7 will also be compatible with older bands.

Apple also ran through its operating system updates which will launch on September 20 before going on to introduce Fitness+, the health subscription service which will will include Pilates, Group Workouts, 4K video and more. The tech giant also began the event by running through its Apple TV schedule going forward, revealing a star-studded line-up of shows and films, many of which have been raking in awards and breaking records such as the first season star ‘Ted Lasso’.

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Dolphins are dying due to a fatal skin disease linked to climate crisis

Sep 15 2021

A research published in Scientific Reports shows that dolphins are developing a fatal skin disease linked to the climate crisis. The study shows that the condition is related to the drop of salinity of coastal waters caused by the more frequent and intense storms. The world’s largest marine mammal hospital in Sausalito, California conducted the research alongside Australian researchers and it it is the first time scientists have been able to attribute a cause to the condition.

Known as ‘freshwater skin disease’, it appeared 15 years ago in bottlenose dolphins and subsequently discovered in marine mammals in different parts of the world. The disease has been killing dolphins since Hurricane Katrina. After 2020 became the year to break the record for the number of Atlantic storms strong enough to be given names in a single season, dramatic drops in saltiness, which link to the disease, becomes more common.

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Photo Source: Marine Mammal Foundation

Zija TT’s partner in custody following domestic violence charges

Sep 15 2021

22-year-old Gareth Clach from Bormla has been denied bail and remanded in custody following charges of injuring his partner Zija TT. The latter, also known prominently as Terry ta’ Bormla, uploaded a Facebook post revealing she had been abused in her own home. This came around a month and a half after Zija TT reported death threats to the police but being ignored about them.

Clach was charged with inflicting grievous injuries on her, threatening violence and even drug possession and recidivism. The partner of eight months had, as described by the court, punched Zija TT in the nose. The incident happened during an argument over Zija TT’s mobile phone. His bail request was refuted and Clach was remanded in custody.

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Photo Source: Zija TT FB