A new painting of Blessed Carlo Acutis, famously dubbed “God’s influencer” for using his computer skills to spread the Catholic faith, was recently unveiled by renowned artist Steve Farrugia at the Church of Santa Marija in Bubaqra. The artwork, commissioned by the Fraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Żurrieq, was presented during the opening celebrations of the Fraternity’s 450th anniversary.

Blessed Carlo Acutis passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 from leukemia. Known for his modern-day evangelism, his story resonates with youth, symbolised by his casual attire of jeans and running shoes. Acutis was declared Blessed on October 10, 2020, and will become the first millennial saint in the Catholic Church.

The Vatican recently confirmed that Carlo would be declared a saint following a reported miracle—an 11-year-old girl in Florence, Italy, healed from serious head injuries after a bicycle accident in July 2022, attributed to his intercession. His devotion to prayer and adoration of the Eucharist earned him the nickname “the highway to heaven.”

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Malta this week hosted the 31st OSCE – The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Ministerial Council, welcoming over 800 international leaders and delegates to the island. Ensuring the safety and smooth running of such a high-profile event required the dedication of the Malta Police Force, who worked behind the scenes and on the front line to maintain order and security.

From meticulous planning and training to coordinating traffic and securing key venues like the MFCC and nearby hotels, officers worked in diverse roles to make sure everything went according to plan. The force’s efforts were especially important given the challenging weather conditions and heightened security demands surrounding this international event.

The Malta Police Force expressed heartfelt thanks to their officers for their professionalism, teamwork, and commitment, stating they truly represented Malta with excellence. They also extended gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation, which proved vital to the event’s success.

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Thousands of homes across the UK remain without power as Storm Darragh brings 93mph winds and severe weather conditions. A red ‘danger to life’ warning was issued on 6 December, affecting three million homes and urging residents to stay indoors.

National Grid reports that over 55,000 customers are without electricity in South West, South Wales, and the West Midlands, with South Wales bearing the brunt. However, 376,000 customers have had their power restored since the storm began.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described the situation as “challenging,” emphasising that National Grid teams are on standby to address further issues. Meanwhile, temporary air traffic restrictions have been imposed at Heathrow and Gatwick, and National Rail has warned of “significant disruption” across its network due to delays and cancellations.

The Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool has also been postponed as the storm continues. Weather warnings are expected to lift by 6am on Sunday. Passengers and residents are advised to follow updates and stay safe amid these hazardous conditions.

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