Reduction to COVID wage supplement as of next week

Jul 28 2021

Times of Malta was informed that wage supplements for businesses hit by the pandemic will be reduced between August and the end of the year. Sources informed the newsroom that the government has plans to cut the different supplements down by as much as a third across two phases. €800 will be given to those hardest hit by the pandemic, the highest supplement wage.

Presented to the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development during a confidential meeting the government on Tuesday, the plan was revealed during a presentation given to social partners. The wage supplement was first introduced in March 2020 by the government in order to stop massive lay-offs from businesses that were massively impacted by the pandemic.

The scheme is estimated to have cost around €44 million monthly as it was deployed when non-essential businesses were shut down. Tens of thousands of jobs were allegedly saved for most sectors across the economy, according to the government.

As mentioned, companies hardest hit will continue to receive €800 supplement wage. These are companies which experienced a 55% or higher drop in sales. Starting August, companies claiming a 10% to 20% drop will receive a €100 supplement, down from €160. The amount will be cut in half to €50 in October until 2021’s end.

Those who experienced losses between 25% and 34% will also have the supplement reduced to €200 in August and €100 in October from the current €320. Those with a higher 35% to 44% drop and who currently receive a €480 aid per employee will see it reduced to €290 in August and to €145 in October.

Finally, businesses with a 45% to 54% drop will have their current €640 reduced to €510 and then €250.

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Photo Source: fotografierende

Thief smashes car windscreen to steal items from vehicle

Jul 28 2021

Footage which surfaced online show a man stealing white plastic bags from a car, with police confirming that the man broke the windscreen and passenger windows to do so. The man can be seen reaching into the vandalised vehicle in broad daylight. The incident happened on Wednesday morning in Victoria Street near the Malta Post offices.

The assailant fled the scene of the crime but was shortly caught and arrested by officers of the Rapid Intervention Unit. The nationality of the man is still unknown, with details revealing that he is currently hospitalised for injuries he sustained when trying to break into the car. Investigations by authorities are still ongoing.

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Photo Source: Malta Dizastru Totali FB

World’s most expensive fries cost $200 at Serendipity, New York

Jul 28 2021

Despite already offering $295 burgers and $1,000 ice cream sundaes, Serendipity 3 is breaking the world record yet again with the world’s most expensive French fries as well. A $200 plate of French fries stretching the definition of haute cuisine, the Guiness World Records certified the fries as of July 13th as the world’s most expensive.

Starting out as Chipperbec potatoes, the fries are blanched/scalded in vinegar and champagne. They are then fried in pure goose fat instead of oil for two times – making them crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

To top it all off, the fries are sprinkled with edible gold and seasoned with truffle salt and truffle oil. Customers are served the fries on a crystal plate with an orchid, thin-sliced truffles and a Mornay cheese dip. Having closed off for the pandemic, Serendipity announced its comeback with the out-of-this-world fries.

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Photo Source: Hypebeast

The refugee who inspired millions during the Olympics

Jul 28 2021

Yusra Mardini a Syrian swimmer, who back in 2015 had to watch her father be beaten and her house be destroyed by regime soldiers has managed to qualify to two consecutive 100 m races in the Olympics. Yusra and her sister Sarah left Syria because of the massive war going on and both successfully made it to the coast of Turkey. From there, both sisters embarked on a journey they wouldn’t forget.

The sisters, with 18 other refugees who wanted to flee to Europe, went on a 7-person dinghy to Lesbos in Greece. Unfortunately upon leaving, the boat engine seized and the whole boat started to sink slowly. Remembering the swimming training their father used to give them, both Yusra and Sarah jumped into the freezing sea and helped keep the boat stable and firm. Using one arm, they both latched on to the rope the boat came with whilst using their feet to swim and push the boat. Yusra told Vogue that the stinging of the salt water on her eyes was the hardest part. When they reached land, the sister went to Germany from Greece on foot.

In Germany, the sisters spent six months in a refugee camp in Berlin. There they got to know about Wasserfreunde Spandau 04, a swimming club which trains young swimmers to this day. Pleasantly surprised by the ability both sisters showed, the club helped the sisters stay in Germany and from then, Yusra went from strength to strength. With the help of her coach Sven Spannenkrebs, she was selected to be a part of the Refugee Olympic team in the 2016 Olympics where she competed in the 100m butterfly and won her heat. Yusra is also the youngest ever Goodwill Ambassador of the UN refugee agency. She also managed to compete this year at the Tokyo Olympics, where she was chosen to be a flag bearer for the Refugee Olympic team. She came 3rd in her 100m butterfly heat but unfortunately didn’t pass to the semi-finals.

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Yusra Mardini is an inspiration to a lot of young people, given that she is only 23. She is living proof that youths can make the world a better place.

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