Today Will Feel As Hot As 28°C

Apr 1 2024

You’re hot, then you’re cold – literally.

Malta’s temperatures are set to fluctuate rather extremely this week, with the 1st of April seeing temperatures climbing to a whopping 28°C, before dropping to a cold 15°C.

With sunny weather expected for all of this week, the temperatures are set to persist at around 21°C but low temperatures of around 12°C.

Facebook weather page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’ also highlighted the temperature flux, writing:

‘A discrepancy of 20°C between how the maximum temperature will feel today April 1st (32°C) and the minimum of tomorrow morning (12°C).’

#MaltaDaily

George Vella Celebrates Last Freedom Day As President

Apr 1 2024

President George Vella participated in his last wreath laying ceremony as president of Malta as his term comes to a close.

As the Armed Forces of Malta band played the Freedom anthem, President George Vella joined Prime Minister Robert Abela and Opposition leader Bernard Grech for the ceremony.

Malta celebrates Freedom Day on the 31st of March, marking the anniversary of the withdrawal of British troops and the Royal Navy from the islands back in 1979.

George Vella will be succeeded by Myriam Spiteri Debono, who is set to be Malta’s third female president and the island’s first female Gozitan president.

#MaltaDaily

Germany Kicks Off April With Cannabis Legalisation

Apr 1 2024

Germany has implemented new cannabis laws allowing adults over 18 to possess 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three plants at home.

This makes Germany one of the most liberal European countries regarding cannabis, alongside Malta and Luxembourg. The Netherlands, once known for its tolerance, has tightened regulations against cannabis tourism.

The law also permits the establishment of cannabis clubs to distribute limited amounts of cannabis per person per month starting July 1.

However, the planned sale via licensed shops faced EU opposition, prompting consideration of pilot programs in specific regions. Advocates argue legalisation will curb the black market, but health groups express concerns about increased youth usage and associated risks like psychosis and schizophrenia.

The government pledges awareness campaigns, support programs, and prohibits cannabis near schools.

Police express enforcement challenges, while retroactive amnesty for cannabis offences poses administrative burdens.

Conservative opposition threatens repeal, while liberals support legalisation as a means to curb the black market. Finance Minister Lindner asserts the law’s implementation will be orderly.

#MaltaDaily

Instagram’s New ‘Blend’ Feature: Collaborative Reels Discovery

Mar 31 2024

In a bid to further innovate its Reels feature, Instagram is reportedly working on a new functionality called ‘Blend.’ This feature, if launched, would allow users and their friends to enjoy a personalized Reels feed, enhancing collaborative content discovery on the platform. While the feature is still in its internal testing phase, its potential to offer a unique user experience marks an interesting development in Instagram’s ongoing efforts to compete with platforms like TikTok.

The revelation about the ‘Blend’ feature came to light through reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, known for uncovering upcoming social media features ahead of their official release. According to Paluzzi’s findings, ‘Blend’ would create a private feed of Reels recommended specifically for two users, based on their shared Reels and individual interests. Much like Spotify’s collaborative playlist feature, ‘Blend’ aims to offer a shared experience tailored to the preferences of its users.

One of the key aspects highlighted in the leaked screenshot is the privacy of ‘Blend’ feeds, ensuring that the content remains exclusive to the participating users. Additionally, users would have the freedom to exit the ‘Blend’ at any time, providing them with full control over their viewing experience. While specific details about the feature’s functionality and update frequency remain undisclosed, its potential to foster shared content exploration is evident.

The introduction of ‘Blend’ signifies Instagram’s strategic move to leverage existing user behaviors, such as sharing Reels via direct messages, to enhance content discovery. By analyzing user interactions and preferences, Instagram aims to proactively recommend Reels that align with the interests of paired users. This collaborative approach not only promotes engagement but also serves as a mechanism to boost Reels’ visibility and watch time on the platform.

Should ‘Blend’ be officially released, it could offer Instagram Reels users a compelling and interactive feature that sets it apart from competitors like TikTok. While TikTok continues to dominate the short-form video market, Instagram’s pursuit of innovative features underscores its commitment to providing a diverse and engaging user experience. Despite the uncertainties surrounding its external launch, the potential of ‘Blend’ to enrich content exploration hints at a promising future for Instagram’s Reels platform.

#MaltaDaily