I find astonishing those people who have suddenly discovered what there is in financial services to denigrate or praise, but the former mostly. Over the years I was surprised that nobody seemed to find that the huge expansion this sector underwent could be problematic. Initially, I had been sceptical about it, not to say hostile. However, since one and all seemed to consider that financial services were such a good thing and since they ended up providing so many jobs, one needed to take care of them.

The same applies to the internet gaming sector: in a few years, we have become the Atlantic City of internet gaming in Europe. Indeed, I always found it curious that the Church never said anything about this. The economics of betting, no matter how operated, do not help foster cohesion among families.

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, warnings and reserves have finally been expressed. If this is happening because European sources have begun to criticise Maltese financial services, the matter does not really reflect well on those who kept silent and only woke up now.

***

Kebab

I still have doubts about whether I voted the right way in the European Parliament when the proposal to remove phosphates from the kebab bought in popular restaurants came up. Kebabs happen to be one of my preferred dishes, if not the top one. I understand that I am not alone in this.

Wideranging protests were held all over Europe against prohibition of phosphates. The owners of the thousands of small shops which sell kebab were at the front line, but not only they. Their claim was that without phosphates they will be unable to provide meals.

To keep the meat moist, phosphates are used when it is being processed in factories, before being distributed frozen to kebab shops. Medical and environmental reports insist that the chemicals are harmful to the health of consumers. As usual, there are other reports to deny this.

On matters of health and environment, the socialist and democrat group in the EP take a position that goes to the limit of progressive. Here, it meant that we were to agree with a phosphate ban. That’s what I voted for. But the ban was not approved.

I cannot claim I was very sorry.                     

***

Halliday

This month an important conference was held in Paris about the need to protect the environment from the global warming that is already affecting the climate negatively. The conference was hugely promoted by President Macron, the French government and the media.

Meanwhile however, the biggest headlines related to the death of the singer Johnnie Halliday, a star of the French entertainment scene, at the age of 74.

I was always puzzled by the enormous popularity which he enjoyed in France right through his career. In the “Anglo-Saxon” world, practically nobody knew about him. Yet, meantime, the style and songs that he chose to interpret carried very evident American influences. For long years, Halliday seemed to be concentrating mainly on how good an imitation of Elvis Presley he could turn out. Such an approach is not one that usually meets with success in France.

Johnnie’s funeral turned into a national event. With the government’s encouragement, an impressive procession of motor bikes was organized to give him tribute and escort his coffin to the point at which it was sent forward to a private burial.