What is the Dubai Expo and what has Malta got to do with it?

Jan 19 2022

You may be aware the Expo 2020 Dubai is currently taking place right now, with entrepreneurs, politicians and celebrities visiting the Unite Arab Emirates for the global event which links art, culture, technology and innovation over a span of 6 months. The Expo was reported to have exceeded 10.1 million visitors on January 18th, with an extensive list of activities, dance, installations and concerts taking place on a daily basis… but what is Malta’s relevance in the matter?

Like many other countries, Malta has a pavilion assigned to it to welcome businessmen, tourists and dignitaries from across the globe. As part of the Expo 2020 Dubai’s activities, today is Malta National Day, a day in which local talent is displayed at the larger-than-life expo. A selected group of dancers, together with singers Destiny, Glen Vella, Amber, Brooke Borg, Janvil and Pamela and the entirety of Team Malta will put on a showcase of Malta’s artistic prowess through an interdisciplinary performance, projects and a closing show from the Maltese brass band.

The performances will take place at the Sun Stage Opportunity District and Al Wasl Plaza, which is the same place to host the Black Eyed Peas on January 25.

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Your monthly Netflix prices are going up again

Jan 19 2022

Get ready because you might be paying more for your monthly Netflix subscription going into 2022. Newsroom Reuters first reported the news, but it is still not clear how high Europe prices will be. Reuters confirmed that, in order for Netflix to compete in the crowded streaming TV market, the standard plan, which allows for two simultaneous streams will be going up to $15.49 per month in the US.

This is up from $13.99, with Canada’s prices also going up to C$16.49 from C$14.99. Speaking to CNN, Netflix provided a statement identical to one it gave back in 2020 when it raised its prices.‘We understand people have more entertainment choices than ever and we’re committed to delivering an even better experience for our members.

We’re updating our prices so that we can continue to offer a wide variety of quality entertainment options. As always we offer a range of plans so members can pick a price that works for their budget.’ If this price update follows the same pattern as the last, then Europe can expect an uptick later on in the year. Currently, Malta’s prices rank at €7.99 per month as Basic Plan, €12.99/month for Standard, and €17.99/month for Premium.

With pricing increase coming just a week before the streaming company its set to announce its fourth quarter earnings. Spending billions of dollars on content, growth for Netflix-like companies tends to slow and attracting new subscribers gets harder. In October of 2021, Netflix revealed it added 4.4 million subscribers, bringing up its global tally to 213.5 million. This might seem astonishing, but it’s actually not the best the platform can tout the company revealed.

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Police officer saves 4-year-old girl by jumping in front of a car

Jan 18 2022

A local Maltese police officer saved a four-year-old girl from being run over by leaping in front of the vehicle which approached her, preventing catastrophe.

The Malta Police Force took to Facebook to share details of the incident, applauding the police officer in question, PC2423 C. Delia.

Having been stationed outside St Paul’s Church in Rabat, the police officer was on duty when the four-year old crossed the road on a scooter to catch up to her father.

The mother revealed that at the time, due to the rush of the moment, they were ‘so stressed (and embarrassed at our poor judgement!) we didn’t even stop to thank her’. The mother apologised for this and went on to call the police offer a real hero.

The post was met with immense praise for the heroic deed, commending the officer’s bravery and selfless actions.

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Dr Frank Portelli warns against overwhelming immune system with fourth COVID jab

Jan 18 2022

Maltese doctor Frank Portelli expressed his concerns about taking more than three COVID vaccine jabs, claiming that this would overwhelm the immune system. Speaking on ‘FLiving’, and later sharing a similar post to Facebook, Portelli exclaimed that he warns about this despite having had received the two doses and the booster shot against COVID.

He however revealed that he does not intend on taking a fourth shot, even if it meant ‘going to jail’ over the situation. On Facebook he remarked; ‘I said that the immune system can be overwhelmed if frequent or intense enough doses of a vaccine are administered. Don’t let politics blind you!’

He cited the European Medical Agency in expressing similar thoughts to him, sharing an article by ‘Spanish News Today’ which outlines these same concerns. The article itself stated how the head of Strategy for Biological Health Threats and Vaccines Marco Cavalieri argued that it is still far too early to begin treating COVID like a seasonal flu. He also claimed that booster vaccines are administered annually like those of influenza instead of such a short time.

Dr Frank Portelli’s views were supported by ex-PN leader Adrian Delia, who shared the statement by the Maltese doctor. So far, Maltese Health Authorities have not made any reference to a fourth shot, but Israel became the first country to start rolling it out for the elderly. Malta is currently focusing on administered the third dose of the vaccine, of which 310,012 were administered.

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Photo Source: Dr Frank Portelli FB, Adrian Delia FB