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The Loneliest Orca’ On The Planet Has Passed Away After 53 Years Of Captivity

Aug 19 2023 Share

The world has bid farewell to a marine giant whose life was fraught with solitude and controversy.

Lolita, affectionately known as Tokitae, has passed away at the Miami Seaquarium, ending a tragic chapter that spanned 53 long years of captivity.

As news of her sudden illness and subsequent passing spread, a somber realisation washed over the hearts of activists, conservationists, and animal lovers alike – the loneliest orca on the planet had taken her final swim.

Captured in 1970 at just four years old, she was torn away from her pod and natural habitat in the Pacific Northwest.

As the star of controversial shows that drew millions of visitors, Lolita showcased a range of flips, jumps, and tricks. Over the years, her cramped tank at the Miami Seaquarium, which fell far short of the expansive ocean realm she was meant to inhabit, became a symbol of the dark side of the entertainment industry.

In the face of mounting criticism and campaigns for her release, Lolita’s fate was poised for a potential turnaround. Activists were meticulously crafting a plan to repatriate her to her native waters, where she could reunite with her long-lost pod and live out her twilight years in the vast expanse of her ocean home

The promise of her homecoming was on the horizon, yet, fate had other plans.

#MaltaDaily 

Apple Set to Compensate Millions in “Batterygate” Settlement

Aug 19 2023 Share

In a landmark move, Apple is gearing up to distribute a substantial settlement amounting to a staggering $500 million to approximately 3 million users of pre-2018 iPhones.

The eagerly anticipated payouts will be granted to individuals who lodged claims against the tech giant back in 2020, marking the climax of a controversy that has come to be known as “batterygate.” This extensive compensation is a response to allegations of a practice dubbed “software throttling,” a term that refers to deliberate iOS updates designed to curtail the overall performance of iPhones with aging batteries.

The genesis of this saga traces back to the accusations leveled against Apple, which were eventually validated in court. The company was found guilty of deploying software updates that intentionally slowed down the operational speed of iPhones equipped with older batteries. This orchestrated slowing down of device performance led to considerable backlash from users who felt their devices were being systematically hindered by Apple’s actions. The public furor that ensued prompted a wave of legal action against the tech behemoth.

Apple’s assertion in their defense carried a dual purpose – an attempt to exonerate themselves from accusations of deceit and an explanation of their motives behind the controversial iOS updates. According to Apple, the “throttling” was not conceived as a tactic to mislead customers but rather as a strategic maneuver to extend the longevity of their products. They contended that these software updates were intended to prevent sudden shutdowns and unexpected issues that arise due to the natural degradation of batteries over time.

The settlement announcement comes as a culmination of a legal tussle that saw users who owned iPhones such as the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE devices running on iOS 10.2.1 or later versions being affected by the “batterygate” controversy. With millions of users who filed claims and stood as aggrieved parties, the settlement acts as a significant step towards rectifying the issue and appeasing disgruntled customers.

#MaltaDaily 

Ta’ Qali Argument Leaves 17 Year Old Fighting For His Life

Ta’ Qali Argument Leaves 17 Year Old Fighting For His Life
Aug 18 2023 Share

Today, at around 0430hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Ta’ Qali. 

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that two French persons, aged 17 and 18 respectively, had gotten involved in an argument outside an establishment with a group of other persons.

A medical team was called on site and transported the two youth to Mater Dei. The 17 year old was confirmed to have suffered serious injuries whereas the condition of the other individual is still pending. 

Investigations are still ongoing. 

#MaltaDaily 

Chris Bonett’s Use Of Ministerial Car Did Not Break Rules, Says Standards Commissioner

Chris Bonett’s Use Of Ministerial Car Did Not Break Rules, Says Standards Commissioner
Aug 18 2023 Share

Taking to social media, Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds Chris Bonett announced that the Standards Commissioner for Public Life ‘confirmed that the campaign targeting his use of a ministerial car was nothing more than a campaign built on deception and personal attacks.’

This is in reference to a complaint inputted by Arnold Cassola, who accused Bonett of using an official vehicle whilst on a private holiday in Sicily. 

Bonett had responded that this car was assigned to him and that there are no limitations in regards to its use. 

Explaining on social media, Bonett said that the commissioner confirmed that no rules were broken and that no further investigations are needed. 

Bonett wrote how ‘it has become a trend for allegations to be made with the commissioner and then see what happens. Haphazard attacks from the same people built on the strategy of hit or miss.’

What do you make of this?

#MaltaDaily