Shower together to save energy, Swiss energy minister suggests

Sep 24 2022

As governing bodies around the world continue to put forward laws & suggestions to attempt to save energy, Switzerland’s environment minister has suggested that people shower together to cut consumption.

As part of her promoted measures to reduce energy consumption in winter by 15%, 62-year-old Simonetta Sommaruga suggested people turn off the computer when they don’t need it, turn of the lights and shower together.

The unorthodox suggestion was met with a mix of reactions, with Sommaruga eventually having to clarify her tip. The minister then stated that the suggestion was for younger people, stating that showering together is not suitable for everyone after a certain age.

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Family of four need €25,300 to live decently in Malta new study shows

Sep 23 2022

A study commissioned jointly by the General Workers’ Union, ‘Alleanza Konntra l-Faqar’ and Moviment Graffiti revealed that a family of two parents and two children needs at least €25,300 to live decent lives.

The research was carried out by Re-think advisory group and sought to establish the national living income for different households. It showed that a single person under 65 living by themselves needs at least €12,226 to enjoy a decent lifestyle.

The national living income (NLI) is measured as the amount of household income needed to avoid poverty but also enjoy a decent life.

Around 30.4% of single under 65-year-olds with no kids do not earn this amount of money. This is because single parents with one ore more kids need between €16,160 to €21,078 to survive and thrive.

A household with two parents and dependent children needs approximately €21,084 to €25,300.

Unfortunately, 76% of single parents were found not to earn a living income, while 40% of the two parent household earn less than the living income.

Read full study here.

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No more storms forecasted until the end of the week

Sep 23 2022

It seems as though yesterday’s non-stop stormy battering was enough to introduce us into the autumn season this week.

According to weather Facebook portal ‘Aggornament tat-Temp’, the stormy weather is expected for a return next Monday. This means that the weekend will be relatively sunny and clear before we brace ourselves for another round.

The weather portal was updated this morning, with the average amount of rain being registered at around 50mm. This is considered a very good amount for the Maltese climate.

Some localities saw 70mm of rain downpour, with Gozo seeing a 66mm level of water. These numbers are only expected to increase as the new season continues, with the low pressure bringing a well-needed respite from the heat.

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Call to wear Rainbow armbands in Qatar by World Cup Captains

Sep 23 2022

FIFA has come under massive pressure on Wednesday from various European soccer federations who wish to have their captains wear an armband with a rainbow heart design during the World Cup Games in Qatar.

France and Germany, who previously won the World Cup, were among eight of the 13 European soccer teams going to Qatar joining in on the ‘One Love’ campaign.

The movement started in the Netherlands, with the Dutch team playing Qatar in Group A on November 29th. However, FIFA rules prohibit teams from bringing their own armband designs to the World Cup.

FIFA insists that they must use equipment provided by the governing body. Despite this, armbands have become the next attempt at players attempting to carry a message to the games.

In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and the treatment of migrant workers building projects for the tournament has been deemed a controversy.

“Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching,” England captain Harry Kane said in a statement.

FIFA supported ‘taking a knee’ and now has to decide whether to back some of its most influential member federations in a gesture that could be immensely controversial in Qatar.

#MaltaDaily