Record demands for Enemalta over three days due to summer heat

Jul 10 2022

As Malta undergoes a battering of scorching heat this summer, electricity peak loads were sent sky-rocketing as many made use of cooling appliances to beat the temperatures.

Newsroom MaltaToday revealed that according to data provided by State energy provider Enemalta, new peaks in energy demand were registered for 3 days in a row.

In fact, the surge far outweighs the highest ever electricity peak load reached on the island. The record figures refer to the amount of energy distributed through the national electricity network.

Demand has risen on a daily basis, breaking a record with each passing day. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the grid load which was registered surpassed the all-time peak load seen in 2019.

During that same period in 2019 Enemalta had registered a peak of 522 megawatts. However, this was quickly broken this past week, despite it only still being July. Peaks of 566MW, 577MW and 581MW were recorded on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday respectively.

Many factors contribute to this rise – the main reason being consumers having to use the appliances to beat the heat. However, climate change and population growth all contribute to these demands. These pressures are also recorded to result in faults in the system.

This thus comes accompanied with power cuts in various localities, despite Enemalta currently undergoing a €90 million investment on network distribution to minimise disruptions.

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Stranger Things boosts Metallica’s streams up by 400%

Jul 10 2022

If Kate Bush’s rise to prominence thanks to popular series Stranger Things was something to be baffled by, then Metallica’s recent surge in popularity will come as no surprise.

The legendary heavy metal band’s song ‘Master of Puppets’ was featured in a rather prominent way during the season finale of the fourth season.

The scene has even been described as the most iconic scene in the show’s history – yes, even more than Max running to Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill.’ This was after newcomer Eddie Munson played the song as a distraction to give his friends an advantage over the main villain.

In a scene featuring guitar-shredding atop of a trailer as a storm brews ahead and monstrous bats charge the heroes, the feature managed to boost Metallica’s streams by 400% according to Billboard.

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Fans have even launched an attempt to get the song to the top of the UK charts in a tribute to both Metallica’s legendary status and Eddie’s heroic deed, giving it the Kate Bush treatment.

Meanwhile, the band members themselves fully embraced the new fans and Stranger Things using their song for the finale. Taking to Instagram, they expressed they were beyond psyched their song was used in such a captivating way.

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Man grievously injured after traffic accident in Aldo Moro, Marsa

Jul 10 2022

Police were informed yesterday at around 2115hrs that a traffic accident had taken place in Triq Aldo Moro, Marsa.

District police convened on site and through preliminary investigations found that a crash had occurred between a Honda motorcycle driven by a 37-year-old Birzebbuga resident and a Toyota Vitz driven by a 29-year-old Nigerian man resident of San Pawl il-Bahar.

The motorcyclist was given first aid from a medical team and taken to Mater Dei hospital for further care. He was later certified to have suffered grievous injuries. Investigations are still ongoing.

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Three day menstrual leave every month for women in Spain

Jul 10 2022

A new legislative move is set to offer up women in Spain up to three days of menstrual leave when suffering with painful periods.

The legislation is expected to be passed in Spain next week, and it would make Spain the first European country to offer such support.

Such menstrual leaves are already offered elsewhere in the world outside the EU block, including countries like Japan, South Korea, Zambia and Indonesia. Spanish Secretary of State for equality and against gender violence Angela Rodriquez spoke out about some of the statistics which prompted the move.

Recent research from the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society revealed that around one-third of menstruating women suffer from dysmenorrhea, resulting in painful periods.

Another survey by the charity Bloody Good Period also suggests that 73% of women struggle with work when menstruating. Rodriquez said such statistics were unacceptable and should make both doctors and society reflect.

‘When the problem cannot be solved medically, we believe that it is very sensible that there is a temporary disability associated with the issue.’ Other measures to improve menstrual health are also being bought into Spain.

These include a requirement for schools to provide sanitary products for girls who need them. Additionally, VAT from the sale of pads and tampons will be removed in supermarkets, whilst other products will be free.

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