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“Do you take card?” Bank cards becoming increasingly popular for lower value purchases

"Do you take card?" Bank cards becoming increasingly popular for lower value purchases
Dec 1 2021 Share

A study conducted by the Central Bank of Malta has shown that consumers are increasingly using their bank cards to make low value purchases, with transactions hitting €1.2 billion in 2020.

The yearly value average dropped from €58 in 2016 to €51 in 2016, proving that customers are going for smaller-value purchases with their cards. Card popularity gained further traction, with card transaction value increasing by 28% from 2016 to 2020. Volume of online transactions also increased by 6.5% between 2019 and 2020, with value dropping by 7%.

The Central Bank of Malta states that these trends reflect the drop in private consumption as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which also highlighted that online payments are also seeing an increase in use for low value transactions.

Do you prefer using cash or card?

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Malta’s Cannabis Reform Bill enters final stage as Opposition proposes no amendments

Malta's Cannabis Reform Bill enters final stage as Opposition proposes no amendments
Dec 1 2021 Share

Malta’s much-anticipated Cannabis Reform Bill has been approved at a committee stage, which means that it is “edging nearer towards the bill becoming law,” Reforms Minister Owen Bonnici stated.

This means that the reform bill underwent a parliamentary process by which the House reviews every single clause of the bill, with government and Opposition MPs able to propose amendments to any of the clauses.

Minister Bonnici took to social media to announce the aforementioned, going on to highlight that “The Opposition, in yet another twist, did not propose a single written amendment.” The Opposition has expressed its reservations on the Cannabis Reform Bill multiple times but failed to present which provisions it wanted to amend.

What is left for the bill is one final vote before it is presented to the President of Malta, whereby the President may sign it into law after years of proposals and cannabis activism.

What do you make of this decision?

#MaltaDaily

 

‘The success of the “no lockdown” strategy is evident.’ Controversial doctor Jean Karl Soler states

‘The success of the "no lockdown" strategy is evident.’ Controversial doctor Jean Karl Soler states
Dec 1 2021 Share

“Sweden did not lockdown in the past, will not lockdown now, and will most likely never need to lockdown in the future.” This is the closing statement of doctor Jean Karl Soler’s Facebook post where his states his opinion on lockdowns.

Dr. Soler is a long-standing skeptic of COVID-19 and the subsequent strict restrictions, recently expressing his cynicism on the new Omicron variant and other factors. In one of his recent Facebook posts, he stated that natural herd immunity does not weaken after 6 months, going on to highlight that Sweden is “now one of the most protected countries in Europe, if not the world.”

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In another post, Dr. Soler further expressed his skepticism with the mass fear surrounding Omicron variant, calling for “facts over fear-mongering. Science over vaccine marketing.”

What do you make of these statements?

#MaltaDaily

The story continues: Money Heist’s Berlin is getting his own Netflix series in 2023

The story continues: Money Heist’s Berlin is getting his own Netflix series in 2023
Dec 1 2021 Share

Berlin has been a long-time fan favourite in the Money Heist series and fans of the enigmatic character will be happy to know that he is getting his very own spinoff series in 2023.

Titled Berlin: A New Series, Netflix revealed that the series will kick off in 2023 and star Spanish actor Pedro Alonso, who will reprise his role as mastermind Berlin. It is so far unknown whether or not the show will be a prequel but given the circumstances of his story, one can only expect it.

The second half of Money Heist’s fifth and final season will hit Netflix this Friday. With regards to the upcoming Berlin series, Alonso has stated that he is extremely happy about it and is “deeply grateful to be able to connect with people all over the world and receive so much love and such a memorable time.”

Do you plan on watching the new Berlin series?

#MaltaDaily