Driver Arrested During Inspections For Attempting To Flee

Oct 13 2023

Late Wednesday evening, the Malta Police Force, aided by Transport Malta, Jobs Plus and Detention Services, carried out further road inspections in the Marsa/Ħamrun bypass.

As in many other occasions, the majority of vehicles inspected resulted in drivers following the traffic regulations and vehicles found to be in adequate standards.

Around 90 vehicles were stopped, with some of them receiving tickets in relation to invalid number plates and registrations whereas others had vehicle damage that would have made them dangerous to drive.

7 vehicles were towed away, with 3 confiscated due to not having a Maltese registration. Tests for alcohol intoxication were also carried out.

3 persons were also arrested for living irregularly in the country. Another driver was arrested after attempting to escape the inspections, having been found to not have a driving license and not having paid his car license.

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Maltese Doctor Missing In Cape Town Has Been Found

Oct 13 2023

A Maltese doctor, Stefano Corso, who disappeared in Cape Town on Wednesday, has been located, according to South African authorities as reported by Times of Malta. The police stated that he will be brought to Maitland by the Metro police.

Corso, a 29-year-old physician, went missing after he didn’t return to the conference room following an outdoor walk. Foreign ministry sources also confirmed his discovery on Thursday afternoon. The Interpol Unit in Malta received confirmation from the lead investigator in Cape Town regarding Corso’s safety and his contact with family members.

The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear. Cape Town police sought public assistance in resolving this mysterious case.

Missing Children in South Africa also issued a missing person report.

Reports indicate that Corso was last seen around 3:35 pm on Wednesday during a medical seminar in Paarden Island. He briefly stepped out of the conference hall to take a phone call and inexplicably did not return.

Colleagues attempted to reach him but received no response. They subsequently filed a missing persons report at the Maitland precinct.

Earlier, the Maltese diplomatic services were contacted by a companion of the doctor in South Africa.

They established contact with Corso’s relatives in Malta and alerted the police, who engaged the Interpol Unit in their investigation. They also liaised with authorities in Pretoria, the capital city of South Africa.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese Doctor Reported Missing in South Africa

Oct 12 2023

29-year-old Stefano Corso reportedly went missing on Wednesday after attending exiting a building and failing to return. Maltese police and Interpol are on the case, with a missing person report issued by ‘Missing Children in South Africa’.

Media reports highlight that Corso was last seen on Wedesday at around 3.35pm in Paarden Island. The South African authorities were provided with a description of the man at the time of his disappearance: beige pants, a white t-shirt and a black jacket.

Cape Town police have reportedly requested the public’s assistance in solving the mysterious disappearance.

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Why 1-in-7 People Are Addicted to Ultra-Processed Foods

Oct 12 2023

In an age where convenience often trumps health, it comes as no surprise that 1 in every 7 people worldwide is addicted to ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These UPFs are not just harmful; they are designed to be super-palatable, encouraging us to consume them in excess. This has led to a global health crisis, raising concerns among researchers and health professionals alike.

Studies from scientists in the United States, Spain, and Brazil have shed light on the alarming prevalence of UPF addiction. Analysing 281 studies across 36 countries, they found that 14% of adults and 12% of children suffer from addiction to ultra-processed foods. The lead author of the review, Professor Ashley Gearhardt of the University of Michigan, developed the ‘Yale Food Addiction Scale’ in 2009 to measure this problem accurately. If an individual has experienced at least two symptoms of excessive intake, loss of control over consumption, cravings, continued use despite negative consequences, and withdrawal, they can be classified as addicted.

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The foods are meticulously crafted to be irresistible, loaded with sugars, unhealthy fats, and salts, stimulating the release of pleasure-inducing neurotransmitters like dopamine. This neurological response hooks us, making it difficult to resist the next bite or sip. The cycle of cravings, consumption, and regret continues, contributing to the addiction phenomenon.

Doctor Chris van Tulleken, a prominent health expert and author, emphasises that while ‘food’ itself is not addictive, ultra-processed foods, according to him, are not truly food. Instead, they resemble addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco. Their carefully engineered combination of flavours, textures, and chemical additives exploits our evolutionary preferences, leading to compulsive overeating.

The consequences of UPF addiction are dire. Excessive consumption of these foods is linked to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and various other health issues. Moreover, it perpetuates a cycle of poor dietary choices, affecting not only physical but also mental well-being.

#MaltaDaily