Ukraine will host the Eurovision confirms President Zelenskyy

May 15 2022

Taking to social media, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the war-torn country will in fact hold the Eurovision, despite the Russian invasion.

‘Our courage impresses the world our music conquers Europe. Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision!’ he said.

‘For the third time in its history. And I believe – not for the last time.

We will make sure that one day the participants and guests of Eurovision hosted Ukrainian Mariupol.’

He said that, by then, Ukraine will be free, peaceful and restored. Zelenskyy went on to thank the Klaus Orchestra for the victory and all the people who voted for them.

‘Sure, our winning chord in the battle with the enemy is not far away.

Glory to Ukraine!’

Demand for abortion pills doubled in Malta during COVID-19 pandemic

May 15 2022

In data shared with MaltaToday, the demand for apportion pills doubled over the last two years due to travel restrictions implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Women on Web, an international online abortion service, provided the data to Doctors for Choice representatives in Malta. They revealed that over the last five years, 632 abortion pills were shipped to Malta.

In just 2021, 248 pills were shipped to Malta, compared to 173 in 2020. The 10th district, consisting of Gzira, Bahar ic-Caghaq, Naxxar, Pembroke, St Julian’s and Paceville, had the highest number of purchases in 2021.

Professor Isabel Stabile said that the pandemic has most certainly shifted women’s options when it comes to abortion. Travelling to get an abortion wasn’t easy pre-pandemic […] For many women, the cost is insurmountable. The pandemic has only worsened this.’

This follows a 2020 alarm raised by UK-based charity Abortion Support Network which pointed to a surge in requests from Malta during the pandemic. However, the numbers are suspected to be much larger.

Prof. Stabile said that the data comes from only one provider, Women on Web. Others do no release their data, meaning that we cannot know how many women travel to other countries to get abortions.

#MaltaDaily

Emma placed in 16th place in Eurovision semi-final

May 15 2022

According to newly released statistics and results, Malta’s Emma Muscat placed in 16th place during the second semi-final.

Many Maltese were disappointed with the fact that the country’s ambassador did not qualify to the final round of the competition. According to the Eurovision’s official website, Malta placed in 16th place, just above Montenegro and Georgia, with the latter in last (18th) place.

Emma’s ‘I Am What I Am’ received a total of 47 points, with 20 points coming from the tele-voting and 27 from the jury.

Through tele-voting, Malta received 3 points each from Ireland, Estonia, Macedonia, and Azerbaijan. Serbia, Belgium and Sweden gave Malta 2 points, whereas Montenegro and Cyprus gave Emma 1 point.

The winners of this year’s edition of the competition were Ukraine, despite their victory coming with mixed reactions as well as a unique challenge for the competition’s organising committee due to the ongoing Russian invasion.

#MaltaDaily

Apple set to replace lightning port with USB-C amid calls to universalise chargers

May 15 2022

Apple is reportedly being rumoured to change the aesthetic and structure of the new iPhone starting in the year 2023 by replacing the Lightning Ports with streamline USB-C.

This comes as the European Union votes to push ahead with the plan to introduce a universal charging standard for the majority of electronic devices. The measure is being spear-headed by Maltese MEP Alex Agius Saliba.

Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told Mac Rumours that Apple’s installation of USB-C in iPhones appears to have been influenced by the policy change in the European Union.

Most of Apple’s iPad lineup, along with Macs, utilise the USB-C format for faster transfer speeds and charging. This is still a very recent development for Apple, and one shouldn’t expect to see it in this year’s lineup.

The switch would be quite a big one, but it does not come as a complete surprise. Apple has already moved the iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini to USB-C. There are also rumours however that Apple is trying to develop a port-less iPhone, but this could be a long way off.

#MaltaDaily