Новости за 02.01.2021

Atlas Insurance recently thanked its former managing director and CEO Michael Gatt, who retired earlier this year, during an event held at the insurer’s head office in Ta’ Xbiex. In April 2020, Matthew von Brockdorff was appointed as the new managing director and chief executive officer of Atlas. Prior to the new appointment, Von Brockdorff was deputy managing director for the past 15 years. Gatt has been in the insurance industry for over 40 years, setting up an agency that represented Eagle Star and AXA in Malta. Читать дальше...

It has been an extraordinary year. The once-in-a-century pandemic and the long-awaited defeat of Donald Trump in November’s US presidential election dominated the news cycle in 2020. Our world was changed by COVID-19 and the news that a number of vaccines have been developed and are already being administered has offered hope that we will be able to return to ‘normality’ some time in 2021. COVID-19 exposed a level of economic inequality in capitalism, highlighted the folly of ignoring science and pandering to populism... Читать дальше...

Two lingering doubts in social media conspiracy theories about the safety of the three COVID vaccines already ordered by the EU (and Malta) are the speed with which they have been developed and approved, and whether the mRNA vaccines may alter DNA in some of our body’s organs. Medical scientists have been working since at least 2006 on using a messenger RNA technique to deliver drugs to specific cells intended to improve or cure their malfunction.  Once released into the circulation, mRNA decomposes... Читать дальше...

These are the leading stories in local newspapers this Saturday.  Times of Malta leads with news of a mass brawl in Paceville on New Year’s Day which forced the police to use taser guns to subdue and detain suspects. The newspaper also reports that a second round of economic stimulus vouchers will start being distributed to Maltese residents in mid-January.  L-Orizzont writes that the number of free medicines on the government formulary increased by the largest rate in history in 2020.  The newspaper... Читать дальше...

Dar tal-Providenza raised more than €2.5 million during an annual charity fundraiser held on New Year’s Day.  Donors rushed to help the home for people with a disability during the 12 hour-long Festa ta’ Generożita’, held at We Studios in Qormi. By the time donation lines closed at midnight, a record €2,531,540 had been raised.  The record-breaking sum was achieved thanks in large part to a €500,000 donation made by Catco Group Capital Investment, a Tunisian industrial group which is sponsoring Sliema Wanderers FC. Читать дальше...

Why was Mark Camilleri, who is critical of the government, asked to resign but not all the others? Alfred Sant is tying himself in knots, again. He rightly condemned the foul language used by his Marxist friend Mark Camilleri, head of the national book council. But then lambasted the “valiant defenders of civil rights” for supporting actress Pia Zammit but failing to condemn Mark Camilleri. Sant’s outrage stemmed from the fact that those defending Zammit against harassment by it-Torċa should also have condemned the Book Council head. Читать дальше...

In Memoriam BONELLO. In loving memory of our beloved JO, today the 36th anniversary of her passing away. Forever in our hearts and minds. Jimmy and Carolyn. BRINCAT – CHANEL MARIE née Busuttil – January 2, 2014. On the seventh anniversary of her passing away to eternal life. Never forgotten and deeply missed by her parents Joe and Lilian, Sean and Daniela, her nephew Alexander, her grandmother Doris Borg, the Brincat family, relatives and friends. Lord, grant her eternal rest. Till we meet again. Читать дальше...

Satabank “blindly” took on a portfolio of clients from another financial institution in 2015 without assessing the money-laundering risks involved, according to a report by the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU). Banks are obliged to carry out strict anti-money laundering checks on new clients before taking them onboard, to ensure accounts are not used for criminal activity. A review of client portfolios in 2016 revealed “gross deficiencies” in relation to Maltese anti-money laundering and terrorism financing laws, the FIAU said. Читать дальше...

A prime minister only for Labourites? Robert Abela told the Times of Malta that he had received information “from within the Nationalist Party” that Bernard Grech had not paid his taxes “for years” (December 29). He said he had done his duty by passing on the information to the tax chief. The prime minister is to be lauded for his civic spirit. His declaration, however, is damning. He has only reported a Nationalist tax evader, but not alleged Labourite tax evaders like Edward Zammit Lewis and Rosianne Cutajar. Читать дальше...

54th day of the 'new normal' Żepp is produced by Ġorġ Mallia. See more Żepp cartoons.