Maltese Players Rank Higher Despite Loss Against England

Nov 20 2023

Despite the Malta National team’s 2-0 loss last Friday against England, all the players were ranked higher than the Gareth Southgate managed team.

With Jodi Jones earning player of the match, all the Maltese players ranked a score between 6.79 and 5.95, with the highest score for the English team being a 5.91 for Phil Foden.

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Following the aftermath of the less-than-convincing win, manager Southgate admitted that his players failed to kick off the game on a positive note and acknowledged the challenges of regaining momentum once a game beings sluggishly.

Southgate also praised the contributions of Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold. You can find the rankings here.

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Police Confiscate €300,000 Worth Of Cocaine During Transaction

Nov 20 2023

A 59 year old man and a 24 year old woman were arrested after police received information of a possible drug trafficking taking place.

During last Saturday, police followed a vehicle after information indicated that the driver likely possessed drugs.

Upon arrival in Kalkara, police surrounded the car which was being driven by the aforementioned man. After a search, police found 5 kilograms of suspected cocaine.

The woman was also arrested on site, who was in a separate vehicle and was allegedly going to be involved in the drug transaction.

Investigations showed that the drugs confiscated would have amounted to around €300,000. An inquiry is being carried out as investigations continue.

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Blood, Sweat, and Gears: LifeCycle Challenge Takes Center Stage in Inspirational Film Premiere

Nov 19 2023

On the evening of November 6, 2023, the Spazju Kreattiv Cinema at St James Cavalier came alive with the premiere of “Blood Sweat and Gears,” a local cinematic production that chronicles the powerful narrative of the LifeCycle Challenge. This cycling event, organized by the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation, has become an embodiment of solidarity and resilience in the face of Chronic Kidney Disease. The movie, screened to a captivated audience, intricately weaves together the stories of renal patients, dedicated cyclists, volunteers, sponsors, and kidney donors, providing a poignant account of the foundation’s journey since its inception in 1999.

“Blood Sweat and Gears” captures the personal journeys of individuals grappling with Chronic Kidney Disease, whose struggles converge with the mission of the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation. Set against the clinical and domestic backdrop, the film juxtaposes the patients’ stories with the awe-inspiring scenery and behind-the-scenes footage from the 2022 LifeCycle Challenge in Argentina and Chile. As the narratives of different individuals unfold on the silver screen, they seamlessly merge into a collective effort to conquer a shared objective, only to diverge again as cyclists complete their challenge, and patients continue to face the ongoing battle against illness.

Reflecting on the movie, Alan Curry, the founder of the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation, emphasized its significance as a vivid account of the foundation’s evolution and a beacon of hope for the future. The film not only showcases the achievements of the past but also serves as a testament to the vision of the foundation – a vision rooted in empathy and determination to improve the lives of those affected by renal disease.

Since its establishment, the LifeCycle (Malta) Foundation has raised over Eur3 million, remaining the only voluntary organization in Malta and Gozo dedicated to supporting renal patients. The foundation actively funds research into renal disease, raises awareness on kidney health, and aims to raise an additional Eur200,000 through the 2023 LifeCycle Challenge.

As the premiere unfolded, a group of cyclists was preparing for the 2023 LifeCycle Challenge, set to depart for Bangkok, Thailand, on November 23. Over a span of 10 days, the cyclists will cover a challenging 2,000-kilometer route, reaching Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on December 8. This year’s event, supported by Nescafé as the main sponsor, along with other partners, continues the legacy of the past 22 editions that saw cyclists visiting 53 countries and covering an impressive total of 40,317 kilometers.

The LifeCycle Foundation welcomes contributions to support its mission. Donations can be made via Revolut, PayPal, SMS, or bank transfers. The foundation is registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations (VO/0529).

For more information and to contribute to this noble cause, visit LifeCycle Foundation’s website or follow them on Facebook.

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Adults Who Nap During The Day Could Have ‘Bigger Brains’

Nov 19 2023

New research led by UCL and the University of the Republic in Uruguay suggests that regular daytime naps may benefit brain health by slowing the rate of age-related brain shrinkage.

The study aims to diminish any lingering stigma associated with daytime napping and highlights potential health advantages.

The average difference in brain volume between habitual nappers and non-nappers equated to a potential aging difference of 2.6 to 6.5 years, implying that a 30-minute nap per day might contribute to slowing down the process of brain shrinkage.

Dr. Victoria Garfield, senior author from the MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL, notes, “Our findings suggest that, for some people, short daytime naps may be a part of the puzzle that could help preserve the health of the brain as we get older.”

The study, published in Sleep Health, analyzed data from individuals aged 40 to 69, focusing on a causal relationship between daytime napping and brain health.

Examining 97 snippets of DNA linked to habitual napping, researchers compared brain health and cognition in individuals genetically predisposed to nap with those lacking these genetic markers.

Overall, those genetically prone to napping exhibited a larger total brain volume, suggesting a potential causal link between habitual napping and brain health. While the study does not establish whether naps can prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s, it underscores the importance of overall brain health in protecting against dementia.

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