Two new cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant found in the UK

Nov 28 2021

The UK has found two new cases of the heavily-mutated Omicron COVID-19 variant. The variant has been deemed ‘of concern’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO) after being identified in South Africa earlier this week.

The UK Omicron cases were reportedly found in Chelmsford and Nottingham, UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid says, with the two linked cases being traced to South Africa.

The WHO’s Technical Advisory Group met on Friday to discuss the variant, highlighting that preliminary evidence suggests that the virus possesses increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants. While the Delta variant is currently predominant in Europe, a spokesperson for the organisation said that vaccination coverage and booster doses are of utmost importance at this stage and should be the main priority.

Are you concerned about the Omicron variant?

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Here are the pharmacies opening today from 9am to noon

Pharmacies opening today 9am until 12pm and 4pm until 7pm

Nov 28 2021

Here are all of the pharmacies across Malta and Gozo which will be opening their doors to the public from 9am until 12pm today:

Sliema: Brown’s Pharmacy, Unit 22, Tigne Street

Valletta: Chemimart, 20/21, Republic Street

Ħamrun: Cosmed Pharmacy, Soccors, 7, St Franciscans Street in Villambrosa Street

Santa Venera: Lantern Pharmacy, Misraħ il-Kebbies

Birkirkara: St Jude Pharmacy, 213, Valley Road

Gżira: St Matthew’s Pharmacy, Promenade Seafront

Paċeville: Potter Chemists Ltd, Wilga Street

Lija: St Joseph Pharmacy, 164, Annibale Preca Street

Mosta: Sta Margherita Pharmacy, Vjal il-Qalbiena Mostin, Santa Margherita Estate

St Paul’s Bay: Parkes Pharmacy, 582, St Paul Street

Tarxien: Theresa Jo Pharmacy, 3A, Xintill Street

Kalkara: Brown’s Pharmacy, 8, Archbishop Gonzi Square

Fgura: MC Pharmacy, 303, Żabbar Road;

Marsaxlokk: Fisherman’s Cove 34, Tas-Silg Street

Kirkop: Prestige Pharmacy, 16, San Ġużepp Street

Siġġiewi: Remedies Pharmacy, Peter Pan, Nikola Zammit Street

Mtarfa: Anici Pharmacy, BLK A, Town Centre HOS;

Malta International Airport: The ‘8 Till Late Pharmacy’ is open every day from 8am to 10pm

Gozo: 9am to noon

Fontana: Fontana Pharmacy, Għajn Street

Xagħra: Xagħra Pharmacy, 55, Parish Street

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BRIT awards go for gender-neutral award categories; Brian May does not agree

Nov 27 2021

After claims from artists like Sam Smith that award shows like the BRIT awards were not inclusive, the BRIT awards themselves actually scrapped the ‘male’ and ‘female’ categories this year and went on to give gender neutral titles such as Artist of the year and international Artist of the year.

The award show organisation claims that it is their goal to ‘celebrate the achievements of artists irrespective of their gender.’

bHe went on to highlight that “a lot of things work quite well and can be left alone” and explained that he gets “sick of people trying to change things without thinking of the long-term consequences.”

What do you make of this?

European champions Italy may face Portugal for a World Cup spot next year

Nov 27 2021

A series of play-off matches to determine who will occupy Europe’s final three spots for the 2022 World Cup may pit European Champions Italy against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in an intense clash of the titans.

On Friday, the draws for the play-off paths to determine Europe’s final spots took place, with Italy to host North Macedonia in the first round and Turkey to take on Portugal. The winners of the aforementioned matches will play against each other for a place at next year’s finals.

Italy failed to qualify for the last World Cup after a crushing loss to Sweden in the play-offs while Portugal have been in every major football tournament since their absence from the 1998 World Cup.

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