WATCH: Smart Supermarket’s Christmas video is all about family and it’s giving us all the feels

Dec 6 2021

The festive season is almost upon us, and everyone has started getting ready for the much-anticipated joy of the Christmas period. Long hours of browsing through shops or scanning websites for that special gift are interspersed with invitations to seasonal parties and family lunches. Houses are decorated accordingly, Christmas trees are dusted off and festooned with bright lights, and the musical notes of Christmas carols permeate the airwaves.

But Christmas is so much more. This celebrated feast is about families coming together for anticipated social occasions and indulging in each other’s company. It is about connecting through traditional events and seeking additional time with loved ones. And, of course, Christmas is synonymous with delicious food and cherished family recipes from bygone days.

These long-standing culinary delights are an ingrained custom which endures, long after these recipes were first created. Memories are revived as we savour the tastes and aromas from our childhood Christmases. These evoke recollections of our nearest and dearest, as well as precious times of family bonding and familiar occasions.

When Christmas Day comes around, family connections are renewed, as we gather around the table laden with mouthwatering food and tender warmth. Unexpected surprises abound, and affectionate hugs are shared. The turkey is placed at the centre of the table, and generous portions of food are passed around. There is no other fundamentally traditional occasion like the treasured Maltese family lunch on Christmas Day

For four decades, Smart Supermarket has journeyed with Maltese families and shared in the cultural traditions they love so much. Right from the start, Smart Supermarket has connected with the people who paved the way for their children and grandchildren and opened up a world of much-loved Christmas traditions and delicious treats for many generations. This well-established supermarket has always connected with families through committed support and a vast selection of choice products.

As Christmas approaches, we will spend long hours with our loved ones, browsing happily while searching for that special ingredient with which to complete our home-made custom recipe. Through the years, this significant day of jubilation has left us with nostalgic memories evoked by the traditional routines which are repeated every Christmas. Families can look forward to a remarkable celebration with fresh experiences of time-honoured customs, and together, they will create new memories to carry on into future festivities.

Smart Supermarket, Naxxar Road Birkirkara.

Show the video to someone who loves Christmas!

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MeDirect Bank introduces a new investment platform with real-time pricing

Dec 6 2021

MeDirect Bank Malta has upgraded its eBanking investment platform providing users a more intuitive design and easy access to over 4,000 securities. The platform offers customers the opportunity to choose their preferred investment from a huge selection of equities listed on 17 international stock exchanges, several ETFs and Mutual Funds managed by international and leading fund houses, together with a selection of local and international bonds.

The upgrade includes also the introduction of real-time pricing on equities and ETFs. This ensures that customers, using MeDirect for their trading, can benefit from the latest information and prices making it easier to take advantage of any trading opportunities.

Moreover, the new user interface features improved search facilities, including guided searches, as well as different options of how the information can be viewed on the platform through enhancements made in the dashboard functionality and other screens.

In addition to these enhancements, MeDirect customers can continue to benefit from competitive tariffs when trading online that have now been reviewed to ensure that the fees are simplified and transparent.

Pawel Malukiewicz, Group Head – Channels and Customer Experience at MeDirect Bank Malta stated: “This improved investment platform is a result of the feedback received by the Bank’s clients and employees, who continue to push the brand to continuously develop our products and services. We thank all those involved for their dedication and hard work, truly placing MeDirect as Malta’s First Digital Bank.”

Adding to this, Chris Portelli, Chief Technology Officer for the banking group, said: “We are constantly evolving our technology stack, working on various exciting projects and are also delighted to announce that in the next few weeks we will also be introducing investment functionalities to our mobile application.”

MeDirect Bank continues to work on the further development of its digital channels to offer its clients more innovation. Recently, this work has been recognised as the bank won the “Best use of Technology in Business Transformation” category at the 2021 eBusiness Awards organised by Tech.MT. The accolade confirmed MeDirect’s status as Malta’s first Digital Bank.

To celebrate this important milestone, MeDirect has decided to launch a promotion whereby all new customers who join the Bank and invest a minimum of Eur5,000 will receive a cashback of Eur100. This offer is available between the 1st of December 2021 and the 31st of January 2022. Further information, including the terms and conditions, can be found here: https://promo.medirect.com.mt/receive-100-cash-back

MeDirect, is also organising a giveaway, giving all its customers, who trade and invest with them, the opportunity to win exclusive prizes. Over the same time period, anyone who buys any security through the MeDirect platform with a minimum investment amount of Eur100, will be in with a chance of winning an iPhone 13 Pro Max (that will be drawn monthly) and a voucher of Eur250 from The Point Shopping Mall, which will be drawn on a weekly basis. Further information, including the terms and conditions, can be found here: https://promo.medirect.com.mt/trade-and-win

To learn more about MeDirect, to become a client or to log on to view your accounts, one can visit https://www.medirect.com.mt

Promotional offers mentioned are for a limited time only and terms & conditions apply.

MeDirect Bank (Malta) plc, company registration number C34125, is licensed to undertake the business of banking in terms of the Banking Act (Cap. 371) and investment services under the Investment Services Act (Cap. 370).

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Those who expose cannabis to minors will be fined, says Minister Bonnici

Dec 6 2021

Anyone who exposes cannabis to minors, both in public and in private situations, will be fined accordingly when the cannabis reform bill goes forward, Minister for Equality, Research and Innovation Owen Bonnici has stated.

Minister Bonnici told The Malta Independent that there are currently illegal instances where individuals are growing and using cannabis and thus, the reform bill will safely regulate its use and serve its main purpose. He went on to state that the fines allocated for individuals who grow or smoke cannabis in the presence of minors are considerably large and that the Labour Party is proposing a new system by which individuals under the age of 18 will not be able to acquire cannabis.

The Minister highlighted, despite being requested regular check-ups of private residences to ensure that children are not being exposed to cannabis use, the authorities will respect the privacy of a home and thus check-ups will not be conducted.

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The Harry Potter Cast is back for a first look at the ‘Return to Hogwarts’ reunion and we can’t handle it

Dec 6 2021

In a pure, chill-inducing moment which has sparked a fire in the hearts of Potterheads around the world, the first look at the Harry Potter Reunion is finally here!

Return to Hogwarts by HBO Max will reunite cast and crew members from the legendary film series to celebrate 20 years since the premiere of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The first look trailer gives a glimpse of some iconic Harry Potter scenery, with a close look at the memorable Platform Nine and Three-Quarters and a number of stars receiving their invitation.

The reunion will welcome back a host of beloved Wizarding World cast members including original trio Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson as well as Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralphe Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton and so many more.

Return to Hogwarts will unveil new details on the film and feature in-depth interviews with the cast and is set to premier on HBO Max on January 1, 2022.

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