The Last of Us breaks menstrual health taboos in new episode

Feb 24 2023

“The Last of Us” is a post-apocalyptic television show that follows the journey of a smuggler and a teenager as they navigate their way through the unknown world.

Despite being based in a world overrun by flesh-eating monsters, the most thought-provoking and boundary-pushing moment of the show so far has come from a scene involving Ellie and a menstrual cup.

Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsay as the leads, the show has received backlash from hardcore fans of the game for deviating from the original plot and the lack of zombie content.

However, the absence of flesh-eating monsters is made up for with poignant characterisations, as seen in episode six which aired on February 20th.

Arriving in a town, Ellie is gifted a menstrual cup, alongside a pile of fresh clothes. While initially confused, Ellie quickly gets excited and exclaims “Gross” with a smile.

This short, unassuming moment has been praised by fans for its realistic reflection of what it means to be a person who gets monthly periods, and for normalising the discussion around menstruation. The show’s decision to include this scene is a step in the right direction when it comes to normalising menstruation chat in a non-shaming or taboo way.

Showrunner Craig Mazin explained that the menstrual cup is a great solution in the ongoing apocalypse, as it is a reusable solution that doesn’t require the finding of boxes of tampons in infected-ridden cellars.

The intention behind the scene was for viewers to be able to ask someone or Google it if they didn’t know what it was, and it was more for the people who did know what it was.

The menstrual cup representation in “The Last of Us” has been praised by fans, with many appreciating the show’s acknowledgement of periods in a non-shaming way. This simple nod to the fact that Ellie gets periods is a positive step towards normalising menstruation chat and removing the stigma that often surrounds it in film and television.

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Metsola with message of support to Ukraine on 1 year war anniversary

Feb 24 2023

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola issued a video in commemoration of the 1 year anniversary since the war in Ukraine began.

Compiling clips and bits of speeches from throughout the year which express support for Ukraine, Metsola once again restated her, and the EU’s, support of the war torn country as Vladimir Putin’s Russia continues the invasion.

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Of the clips chosen, Metsola can be heard stating that the EU has stood with Ukraine for this entire year and will remain with Ukraine ‘for as long as it takes.’

‘We are together now. We will be together in the future. I am here to convey that message of support and hope that we will not abandon Ukraine’ says Metsola.

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Selena Gomez becomes most followed woman on Instagram

Feb 24 2023

Despite announcing that she’s too old for social media and that she’ll be taking a break from it, Selena Gomez just outranked Kylie Jenner as the most followed woman on Instagram.

During a live TikTok video, Gomez announced her app cleanse saying that ‘this is a little silly. I’m 30 and am too old for this.’

‘But I love you so much and I’ll see you guys sooner than later. I’m just gonna take a break from everything’ she continued. Her comments come after a brief social media bad blood between Gomez and Hailey Bieber.

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A video of Hailey Bieber showed her presenting on stage alongside Method Man, when the latter makes a reference to Taylor Swift’s last album. In response to this, Bieber sticks out her tongue and rolls her eyes.

The user uploading the resurfaced clip wanted to expose Hailey as a ‘mean girl’, with Gomez, who is a very close friend to Swift, commented saying: ‘So sorry, my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game.’

Whatever the case may be, Gomez now ranks alongside Cristiano Ronaldo as the most followed person in general with 551 million followers and Lionel Messi following with 432 million.

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Inquiry finds state failed femicide victim Bernice Cassar

Feb 24 2023

An inquiry tasked with establishing whether the state failed Bernice Cassar, a mother of two and femicide victim, has found that she was indeed failed by said system.

The two main reasons touted were a lack of resources as well as a heavy caseload. The inquiry was compiled by retired judge Geoffrey Valenzia and presented to the government last month.

However, the recommendations and conclusions were announced by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard on Thursday.

The recommendations and conclusions are set to be published but were not provided as of yet. The ministers did not confirm that the inquiry had concluded that there was no responsibility to be shouldered by any single person.

This comes after Cassar had filed multiple police repots against ex-estranged husband Roderick before she was killed on November 22nd in Corradino.

The inquiry was to research whether authorities were or should have been aware that Cassar’s life was in danger and if there were any domestic violence law failings.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said that the caseload made it impossible for the court to hear cases earlier but that the recent appointment of new magistrates would make it possible to allocate one more magistrate to focus on domestic violence.

Apart from this, the need for more training for the judiciary and other court staff was mentioned by the inquiry. Another family court was also in discussion by authorities.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri also pointed to various other changes to how risk faced by potential victims would be assessed. A multidisciplinary approach will be taken up by DASH, the system which found Bernice Cassar in ‘medium risk, as well as changes to electronic tagging which were tasked to university professor Joe Cannataci to draw up.

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