US journalist Brent Renaud killed by Russian forces in Ukraine

Mar 14 2022

Brent Renaud has been reportedly killed by Russian forces in the town of Irpin outside Kyiv. An award winning US film-maker who has worked for the New York Times and other international big names, the 51-year-old was hit in the neck and died after coming under fire.

The reporter was working on Sunday according to local police officials when the attack happened, despite this not being independently verified.

However, deputy managing editor of the NYT Clifford Levy issued a statement on Twitter clarifying that Renaud was not on assignment for the paper in Ukraine.

Journalists should never be a target. https://t.co/ZNWwpwScXT

— Roberta Metsola (@RobertaMetsola) March 13, 2022

A statement was still released by the paper, expressing deep concern and sadness for the loss of the American journalist. Early reports which stated that he was on assignment emerged due to him wearing a Times press badge he had been issued many years ago.

‘Brent’s death is a terrible loss. Brave journalists like Brent take tremendous risks to bear witness and to tell the world about the devastation and suffering caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine’ said Levy.

EP President Roberta Metsola took to Twitter saying that journalists should never be a target. ‘We will honour his legacy and continue to expose the truth Putin is so desperately trying to hide.’

#MaltaDaily

Meat tax and other proposals by animal rights activists

Mar 14 2022

Veggy Malta and Animal Liberation Malta have teamed up to issue some new proposals ahead of the March general election.

With a slogan highlighting how ‘The Voiceless are Forgotten’, Veggy Malta co-ordinator and vegan activist Darryl Grima stated that;

‘we have come up with a list of ethical recommendations for political parties based on the four ethical pillars of veganism: social justice, environmental justice and animal justice and human health. By achieving all we can ensure a better society for all; people, animals and all biodiversity.’

Animal Liberation Malta activist Haroon Ali also added that ‘as vegans and also animal right activists our recommendations aim to ensure that animals and their needs are put on the political agenda.’

The proposals include a meat and dairy tax which aims to help cover the real health and environmental costs from using animals as food.

‘Just as cigarettes have an excise duty on them so should meat and dairy. Additionally the same type of health warning that is found on cigarettes should be placed on red and processed meat and dairy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated red and processed meat as a carcinogen. Additionally we all know that and dairy is know to be a key trigger to cholesterol.’

Other proposals include having all plant based milks be at zero VAT as well as plant based options being offered in state owned public spaces. These include hospitals, prisons, schools and defence forces.

The proposals also include pledges concerning agriculture as well as education. The organisations are proposing having all health professionals being given training on nutrition and the benefits of a plant based diet.

Other proposals include

No new zoo licenses being issued
Phasing out the old and antiquated practice of horse carriages within a 5 year period
A stop to new animal factory farms
Supporting farmers in transitioning out of animal agritultcure into new sustainable plant based agriculture
Malta joining a number of EU countries in banning fur
Designating 50% of territorial waters as fishing free
Public awareness campaigns regarding the importance of increasing vegetables and fruits in one’s diet

#MaltaDaily

I Am What I Am officially Emma Muscat’s new Eurovision song

Mar 14 2022

Singer Emma Muscat, who won this year’s edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, confirmed that the song she will be performing with is ‘I Am What I Am’.

Muscat will be representing Malta in Turin, Italy next May and confirmed the new title this morning on TVMNews+.

The singer said that together with her team, they heard the people’s requests and therefore decided to change the song from what was originally performed. Muscat managed to emerge victorious during the Maltese Eurovision finale of 2022 with her song ‘Out of Sight.’

The team and Emma herself believe that the new song is far more impactful and captivating than the previous one, going on to tour several countries to promote the song.

With ‘I Am What I Am’ already available for fans to listen, on YouTube and Spotify, the music video for the new song is set for release today at 2pm. In terms of betting odds however, Malta currently places in 34th place with 1% chance of winning.

This year’s Eurovision will take place in Turin after Maneskin won Europe’s hearts with their revitalising of rock n’ roll through ‘Zitti e Buoni.’ What do you make of Emma’s new song?

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Guys’ butt-enhancing underwear is taking the world by storm

Mar 14 2022

There’s a massive trend currently going around in the world of men’s underwear and it is way more popular than people may think. Rounderbum is a butt-enhancing underwear brand which comes with two butt-shaped polyurethane foam pieces which are woven into the backside of the briefs.

Makers described the effect as ‘lift technology’, and it does exactly what you think it does. Rounderbum acknowledges previous similar iterations of the technology, but this particular brand has managed to reach well over $1 million in sales since 2015.

The brand first won $150,000 during an appearance on business reality TV show Shark Tank, with inventor Jonathan Diersing saying that Amazon sales shot up a thousand percent.

In fact, the butt-lifting briefs are currently the fourth best-selling pair of trunks on the site, with Diersing describing it as ‘spongy, like a real butt.’

The rapid expansion of the brand is suggestive of men being under similar pressure to women to present an eye-captivating behind. ‘We’re not here to fake anyone out’ says Diersing. ‘We just want your clothes to fit as well on you as they do on a mannequin.’

Butt padding is not such a bizarre practice, but the majority of products were previously marketed for reasons other than image-improvement. Rounderbum is shameless about their goal to just make one’s butt look bigger just for its own sake.

#MaltaDaily