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…

#MaltaDaily

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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Stormy morning and heavy rainfall in several Maltese localities

Jan 13 2022

Malta woke up to rainy weather, with some areas being hit by stronger rainfall and even thunderous skies.

This weather however calmed down as the hours went on, giving way to a sunnier second half of the day, with wind and cold temperatures.

Several localities around the island also experienced over 500mm of rain as an average from the start of last September following a night of constant downpour. The average yearly rainfall in Malta usually amounts to 560mm.

The highest temperature today will be 13 degrees Celsius, and the lowest 11. However it will feel like 12 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius.

Does this set the stage for a rainy weekend? Well, Malta Airport Weather reports that tomorrow, Friday 14th January, is set to be mainly sunny.

The clouds are set to make a comeback on Saturday all throughout the rest of the weekend and well into next week as well.

It certainly makes it seem like cuddle up weather but for those venturing out, make sure you stay safe! The likelihood of heavy weather is 80% and light downpour 35%. Storms are 60% likely according to ‘It-Temp Madwarna.’

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Photo Source: Temp Madwarna – Debbie Borg