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.

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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.

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PN MP Offers Advice On 16 Year Old Mayor Bill

Oct 12 2023

Nationalist MP Mark Anthony Sammut took to social media to comment about the proposed bill that would see 16 and 17 year olds being eligible to contest for mayors.

The MP wrote on social media saying that if one of his children decided to contest the election, he would offer the following advice:

‘Focus on your studies and have fun with your friends, because your youth only comes once.’

‘The time will come when you will be able to give public service and you can do so with the knowledge that you will be sacrificing from your own private life and liberty.’

‘But that decision, if you are ready to take it, take it when you are not a minor and when I am no longer responsible for the decisions and actions you take. You will find me in full support.’

This comes after the government launched a bill which, if passed, would see Malta becoming the first EU country allowing under-18s being eligible for such a position.

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