META Ramps Up EU Election Hype With Notifications

Jun 1 2024

Did you receive this notification?

As the European Parliament elections draw ever closer, META have been releasing notifications providing ‘election info’ for its users on, at the very least, Instagram.

It seems as though, however, some of the EU election features did not sit well with some governments in other European countries.

Spain was one of these cases as the country’s data protection watchdog AEPD barred Meta from launching two features on both Facebook and Instagram. Whether or not these are the same features/notifications is unclear.

The watchdog argued that they would violate Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation.

Italy too did not allow such notifications to be shared, having been in an ongoing dispute over the matter with Meta.

“Our election tools have been expressly designed to respect users’ privacy and comply with the GDPR. While we disagree with the AEPD’s assessment in this case, we have cooperated with their request,” a Meta spokesperson told Reuters.

#MaltaDaily

A Teeth Regrowing Drug Could Be Available By 2030

Jun 1 2024

A new drug that regrows teeth, developed by Japanese researchers led by Katsu Takahashi from Kitano Hospital, is about to enter human trials. This intravenous drug blocks the USAG-1 protein, which suppresses tooth growth, triggering new tooth development.

Human trials start in September, following successful tests on ferrets and mice with no serious side effects.

Due to the 97 percent similarity in the USAG-1 protein function between humans and other species, researchers are optimistic about its effectiveness in humans.

The initial trial will involve adults missing at least one molar, while subsequent trials will target children aged two to seven with congenital tooth deficiencies and older adults missing one to five teeth due to environmental factors.

Takahashi and his team predict the drug could be available to consumers by 2030. This development builds on years of research, including regenerative tooth fillings and stem cell technology to repair dental tissue.

#MaltaDaily

Plane Hijacker Deported After Serving Prison Sentence In Malta

Jun 1 2024

One of the hijackers involved in the 2016 Malta plane incident has been deported, police reported on Friday.

The incident took place in December 2016, when an Afriqiyah Airways A320, carrying around 120 people, was hijacked by Suhaha Mussa and Ahmed Alid during an internal flight from Sebha to Tripoli.

The hijackers, claiming allegiance to a pro-Gaddafi group, diverted the plane to Malta, threatening to blow it up. However, it was later discovered that their weapons were fake, and fortunately, no one was harmed.

Upon landing in Malta at 11:32 am, the aircraft faced a four-hour standoff, concluding at 3:20 pm when the hijackers surrendered to soldiers. All 111 passengers, including 82 men, 28 women, an infant, and six crew members, were safely released. The passengers were believed to be Libyan nationals.

One of the hijackers served his prison sentence in Malta after being convicted of hijacking and terrorism. Post-release, he was detained due to non-cooperation with authorities.

While the specific hijacker being deported and his destination remain undisclosed, authorities confirmed that he is barred from entering Malta or any other European Union country.

#MaltaDaily

2 Year Old Girl At Risk Of Dying After Falling Into Pool

Jun 1 2024

Yesterday, at around 1545hrs, police were informed that their assistance was needed in Triq il-Ħofra, Ħaż-Żebbuġ.

Police convened immediately on site and through preliminary investigations found that a 2 year old girl had fallen into a pool and swallowed some water.

A medical team went on site to give assistance and was promptly taken to Mater Dei Hospital. She was later confirmed to be in serious condition.

Police investigations are still ongoing.

#MaltaDaily