Fearne plays down nurses’ union warning that Mater Dei is in crisis

Apr 5 2022

After a public warning was issued by the Malta Union for Nurses and Midwives (MUMN) claimed that Mater Dei was in crisis due to COVID-19 cases, Health Minister Chris Fearne dismissed the warning.

Fearne was speaking on ONE TV’s Pjazza yesterday evening, and said that there was a time when we had 40 COVID-19 cases in the ITU and they were able to manage to keep things under control. ‘Right now, there are four cases in ITU’ he said.

Thanking all the hospital staff for their work, Fearne said that the vast majority of people who have been hospitalised with COVID-19 aren’t there because of the virus.

‘If someone breaks his foot after falling off a ladder tests positive for COVID-19 upon admission to hospital, he will be included among the numbers as a COVID-19 case’ said the Health Minister.

He pointed out how these incidental cases amount to around two-thirds of Mater Dei’s COVID cases. Calling for caution, Fearne remained adamant that the situation in the hospital is under control. This despite the warning by the MUMN that the current situation poses a high cross-infection risk.

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Rita Azzopardi identified as woman who died after balcony collapse

Apr 5 2022

Rita Azzopardi, a mother and grandmother, was identified as the 75-year-old woman from Birzebbuga who died after the balcony she was in collapsed.

The 75-year-old woman, who was known for her humility and simple passion for staying at home, was deemed dead on the site when police convened.

Rita was reportedly washing the balcony when the balustrades gave way, leading to her falling around one storey. A magisterial inquiry is currently underway.

Rest in Peace Rita and condolences to all the family.

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: ONE News

Russia threatens Wikipedia with huge fine over ‘misinformation’

Apr 4 2022

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on, Putin’s Russia is set to fine Wikipedia for more than $64,000 over what it deems to be ‘inaccurate information.’

Russia’s Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, known as Roskomnadzor, announced late in March that it will fine the free online encyclopaedia 4 million rubles. This is due to its failure to delete false information after an article appeared on the site entitled ‘The Russian Invasion of Ukraine.’

The article cites sources and data from the United Nations and many Western media sources, listing injuries and fatalities from both sides. Just after the invasion was launched, Russia’s media watchdog ordered independent media to remove any reports describing the war effort as ‘invasion’, ‘assault’ or ‘declaration of war.’ Wikipedia has already received two warnings from the Russian media censorship agency.

Tweeting out today, Wikipedia said that ‘the English Wikipedia article about the invasion has been edited 5,200+ times by 863 volunteers, viewed over 12.1 million times and translated into 100 languages.’ The site has remained steadfast despite the accusations and threats, saying that Wikipedia is an important source or ‘reliable, factual information in this crisis. We will not back down in the face of efforts to censor and intimidate members of our movement.’

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Sale of pastizzi to rise by 10c as ingredient costs soar

Apr 4 2022

The price of the popular and traditional Maltese snack, the pastizzi, will be rising by around 10c in most outlets. This is due to the cost of ingredients soaring.

The snack will be going up to 50c from 40c in various outlets as producers blamed the price of raw materials shooting up.

Cheddar cheese rose form €2.90 per kilo to €5.15 in just three weeks. A pastizzeria owner told Times of Malta that it is a take-it-or-leave-it situation as supply is very limited.

The increases are not just on one ingredient, as sunflower oil, which previously cost €1.70 per litre has now doubled to around €3.80 in just two days.

Among the causes being identified are Brexit as well as the Ukraine war, which is being seen as the final straw. Consumers have thus far been understanding, said many owners, as almost literally everything that can be bought is increasing in price.

However, other pastizzeria owners said that some customers were complaining, despite still buying the products. Prices in margarine, eggs and even chicken breast have been noted.

A 10kg box of margarine almost doubled from €11 to €20 whereas a box of canned catering-size tuna went up from €46 to €56 in a week. Producers cannot forecast when the increases will stop, with many attempting to stock up in fear of more trying times.

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