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1 million doses of the COVID vaccine administered in Malta

1 million doses of the COVID vaccine administered in Malta
Dec 15 2021 Share

Prime Minister Robert Abela revealed that as of today, Wednesday 15th December 2021, Malta reached the 1 million mark in COVID-19 vaccines. 

Abela said that the achievement was due to the ambitious decisions which were taken at the appropriate time given the epidemiological situation in Malta. 

He went on to thank all the workers engaged in the vaccine rollout all across Malta and Gozo. He also said that the biggest form of gratitude would be to preserve all that we have achieved by following the measures and receiving the booster vaccination. 

Till yesterday, 997,459 doses were administered, 158,607 of which were booster shots. Health Minister Chris Fearne also took to social media to announce the achievement, urging everyone to get their booster to keep the rollout successful. 


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Photo Source: Chris Fearne FB, Robert Abela FB

How to craft the ultimate hamper for Christmas

How to craft the ultimate hamper for Christmas
Dec 15 2021 Share

Hampers have become a go-to gift during the festive season and for good reason. The goodie-packed parcels are the pure definition of Christmas celebration and Guido Vella Cash & Carry in Qormi has it all… but there’s a science to crafting the perfect hamper for Christmas.

Personalisation is important because hampers are all about spoiling whoever’s receiving them with a treasure trove of treats. The family-run business gives patrons the opportunity to create their own hamper and alter as necessary to suit the liking of the lucky recipient. From chocolate to booze and everything in between, carefully curating the components of hamper is so much easier when you have a wide variety to choose from.

Drinks

The beating heart of every Christmas hamper, a bottle of the recipient’s favourite booze is an essential and Guido Vella Cash & Carry have a lot to offer in that department. From premium brands from the exclusive collection like Bladnoch Scotch Whiskey and special edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label to classics Chivas Regal and Jägermeister, they truly have it all. Lest we forget the extensive selection selection of wines, gins and vodkas but fear not, if strong spirits aren’t your thing, you can always throw in a case of iconic Estrella Garcia beer.

In our honest opinion, you can never go wrong with a nice premium bottle to embellish the hamper, but if you just want to throw in a cheeky Aperol for the spritz lovers, they’ve got you sorted.

May be an image of bottle, indoor and text that says 'IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT Like Christmas AT BLADNOCH CU'

Chocolates

What’s a hamper without chocolates? These lovely morsels of goodness are the ultimate symbol of festive indulgence and a mainstay in every single hamper. When you wake up in the middle of the night craving something sweet, these chocolates will be there for you so make sure you pick the right ones. Thankfully, you can’t go wrong with Guido Vella Cash & Carry. From Cadbury Milk Trays to Ferrero Collection boxes, there’s definitely something for everyone.

Panettone

You CAN’T forget the panettone. Controversial as it may be, a Panettone is as Christmas-y as it gets and whether the recipient is a lover of the sweet bread or has yet to understand the significance of the panettone in Christmas lore, a hamper isn’t really a hamper without a panettone. However, if you want to ease into it or switch it up with a Limoncino or Amaretti Cake before you present the OG, you can. From the classic panettone with raisins and sultanas to a Capuccino flavoured Italian cake, this Qormi store provides quite the selection and your hamper is sorted no matter what you choose.

Pro Tip: Make sure you try La Torinese, a traditional Italian panettone which is hand-crafted to absolute Christmas perfection.

 

Biscuits

Picture this. Christmas Day, 6PM, post-Christmas lunch. You’re brewing a cup of tea to cope with the spine-chilling temperatures of Malta’s winter. Before you plunge into the depths of your sofa under a blanket, you head towards the cupboard for a few biscuits and there are none. That’s why putting a few packs of Di Leo biscuits in your hamper offers not only an indulgent treat for your post-lunch cravings, but peace of mind that you have something to accompany your hot beverage when you truly need it.

May be an image of dessert

However, if you’re reading this and feel that you are too busy to curate a personalised hamper or just feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, Guido Vella Cash & Carry also offer a ready-made selection of Christmas hampers and boozy bargains, so fear not, because you’ll be sorted either way. And if that weren’t enough, Guido Vella are donating €1 from every hamper to Puttinu Cares, which means that you are not only gifting the ultimate hamper, but doing some good in the process.

You can check out the entire Christmas collection by visiting their website or visiting their store in Amleto Spiteri Street, Qormi.

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More climate alarms as Arctic temperatures hit record 38°C last year

More climate alarms as Arctic temperatures hit record 38°C in 2020
Dec 15 2021 Share

Yesterday Tuesday 15th December 2021, the UN officially recognised the 38°C measured in Siberia last year as a new record for the Arctic. 

Sounding more alarm bells over climate crises, the extreme heat was registered on June 20, 2020 in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk. This marks the highest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle. 

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) added the record heat for the first time in its archive of extreme weather reports, and is one of many reports of extreme temperatures worldwide in the last few years. 

The town lies about 115 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle and temperatures have been measured ever since 1885. Registered during a prolonged Siberian heatwave, the temperature is more befitting the Mediterranean than the Arctic, said the office. 

Average temperatures across Arctic Siberia reached up to 10 degrees Celsius above normal for much of last year’s blistering summer, contributing to more ice cap melting and overall climate crisis emphasis. 

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Photo Source: Times Higher Education, Inside Climate News

76 people fined for not wearing masks in first weekend

76 people fined for not wearing masks in first weekend
Dec 15 2021 Share

76 individuals received fines for breaking the newly implemented mask-mandate during their first weekend of being put in place. The number of fines issued was lower than in May, which was just before the rules for mask wearing outdoors were removed. Police typically issued 800 fines per week or 114 a day. 

Anyone breaking this mandate risks a €100 penalty. Those fined can lower the penalty to €50 if they choose to pay before court proceedings begin. The rules were reintroduced to reduce the spread of COVID-19 cases as the Delta variant fuels the spike, with experts worrying about the transmission of the new Omicron variant. 

The decision was met with quite some criticism, from both people and organisations alike, such as the Malta College of Pathologists. The College noted how walking outdoors alone or with same household members at good distance from others does not pose transmission risk. 

Health Minister Chris Fearne defended the measure by saying that it would help protect people against other illnesses and not just COVID-19. 

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Photo Source: Malta Police Force FB, Anna Shvets