January 17th restaurant measures remain in place as Fearne reveals exemptions

Jan 13 2022

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne unveiled several exceptions to be given for those who for some reason could not receive their booster shot as the January 17th measures draw closer.

With next Monday requiring a valid certificate, the Health minister revealed that an exemption will be made for employees in terms of whether or not they make direct contact with clients.

Employees who do not interact directly with clients will not need to present a vaccine certificate whereas those who do make direct contact with clients, workers must present a valid vaccine certificates. He still urged employees who do not work directly with clients to still get vaccinated.

Kids under 18 will not need to present the COVID certificate with a booster shot, with kids younger than 11 not needing any certification whatsoever. As for establishments to certify whether someone has a valid certificate, owners can use the new CoVPass app to certify this.

Travel exceptions were also included, with residents of Malta wishing to come back to the island being given an extension period to the 1st of February. This, given, that they apply to receive their booster shot.

There will also be a notable six week exception for all those who were quarantined and thus could not receive the booster shot.

Fearne did clarify that Malta has no intent on making vaccination mandatory unlike other countries and even hinted at even removing such measures if the epidemiological situation improves.

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Milk and bread prices spike due to global supply crisis

Jan 13 2022

Staple food products’ prices such as those of bread, butter and other dairy products increased sharply as local producers attempt to cover costs due to the global shortage of raw materials and freight expenses due to COVID.

Both Malta Dairy Products, the company which produces Benna dairy products, and bakery Golden Harvest said they had to increase prices to cover January costs.

The recent increase in prices was noted in a Facebook post by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi who said that anyone buying essential food items would have noticed ‘large increases in wheat and dairy products.’

He went on to list increases ranging from 10c to 83c in flavoured milk ranges, fresh cream, yoghurt and butter. Malta Dairy Products Limited said that the company had managed to keep prices of fresh milk products stable over recent months. During this, the costs of feeds on the international markets as well as other operational, logistical and raw material costs, significantly increased.

Saying that as of the 1st January 2022 some prices of its products were adjusted, MDP revealed that this decision has been taken after the company absorbed the increase in costs for a number of months. The company said that the price adjustment was also necessary to sustain the local dairy industry.

A spokesperson for Golden Harvest said that similarly, just like other local bakeries had raised their prices at the end of last year, the company was forced to do so as well. A spokesperson told Times of Malta that ‘we have been trying to absorb the costs and delayed increasing prices at the end of the year not to burden consumers.’

‘But we had to cover our costs. I assure you that the price increase does not reflect the increase in prices of raw materials which we have been experiencing due to the pandemic. We are in no way making more profit, we are just covering some of the costs.’

The materials included flour, yeast, sugar and packaging, with prices having shot up across the board. Suppliers explained this was a global situation brought about by a wide array of factors impacting the supply chain.

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Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly ‘drink each other’s blood’ to celebrate engagement

Jan 13 2022

Celebrities Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly have finally got engaged, but as if that wasn’t news enough, the couple decided to celebrate by allegedly drinking each other’s blood.

The rapper turned pop-punk star, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), real name Colson Baker, met Fox on the set of Midnight in the Switchgrass.

Despite the movie not being very well received by critics, the pair’s growing connection and eventual engagement managed to survive the cinematic onslaught.

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A post shared by Megan Fox (@meganfox)

With several stories surrounding the couple’s bizarre adventures, such as their hallucinogenic drug trip or blood vials around their necks, the 31-year-old musician finally popped the question.

With Fox replying yes, the couple celebrated the event by drinking each other’s blood. She went on to announce the engagement on Instagram, sharing a video of MGK getting down on one knee and sharing a kiss.

Fox said that ‘somehow a year and a half later, having walked through hell together, and having laughed more than I ever imagined possible, he asked me to marry him […] and then we drank each other’s blood.’

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A post shared by the Blonde Don (@machinegunkelly)

MGK himself shared a video of Fox’s emerald and diamond engagement ring, saying that the former was her birth stone and the latter his own. All well and good… but we still don’t know what to make of the whole blood drinking scenario…

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Photo Source: machinegunkelly IG, meganfox IG

Archbishop mum on Vatican promotion rumour

Jan 13 2022

Archbishop Charles Scicluna refused to comment on rumours which suggest that he might be selected for one of the top jobs at the Vatican.

A spokesperson for the Curia said that The Archbishop does ‘not comment on conjecture in the media concerning himself and remains fully committed to his mission in Malta and to his role as Adjunct Secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.’

Catholic websites The Pillar and Messa in Latino said on Monday that Scicluna actually stands a good chance at being appointed secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, succeeding Archbishop Giacomo Morandi.

Malta’s archbishop already holds a position as one of the Congregation’s two adjunct secretaries. If sources are right in their information that the promotion would need him to work from the Vatican, Pope Francis would need to appoint a new Archbishop for Malta.

The congregation is one of nine responsible for carrying out the Church’s duties in the world, similar to a ministry in a government. The position of secretary is only inferior to that of the Prefect who answers directly to the Pope.

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