Ruckus in Israeli parliament during Roberta Metsola’s address

May 24 2022

As she urged the Israeli assembly to stave for peace and work towards a two-state solution in her first visit to the country, EP President Roberta Metsola was heckled several times as the politicians erupted in argumentation.

Metsola addressed the Knesset in Jerusalem on Monday, and was first met by applause when she spoke about the validity of Israel and the fight against anti-semitism.

However, Metsola then went on to insist that the EU Parliament also supports the Middle East Peace Process in the form of a two-state solution – where the State of Israel and a Palestinian State live side-by-side.

Her words: ‘but peace is the only way forward. The only way for Israelis and Palestinians to live ins safety and prosperity’; did not go down well.

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Hecklers interrupted her speech, creating a commotion when she spoke about Russia’s efforts to threaten the world’s food security and transport routes. Metsola urged the international community to remain ‘steadfast’ in their sanctions against Russia.

The speaker attempted to calm down the commotion, with Metsola remaining composed and calm. It is unclear what the parliamentarians were saying, but it was so loud Metsola struggled to carry on.

‘It’s ok, this is democracy’ she told the Speaker and carried on. She later received an even bigger applause when she ended her speech. She said that the future is unwritten and that ‘we can achieve the impossible together.’

Watch full speech below:

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Here’s how much politicians spent on their election campaigns

May 24 2022

The candidates of the Labour Party spent around three times as much as their Nationalist Party counterparts.

According to declarations filed with the Electoral Commission, the data shows that the 69 candidates who contested through Labour spent around €784,000 on their personal campaigns in total.

As for the Nationalist Party, the candidates spent over €271,000. However, election candidates are legally bound not to spend more than €20,000 for every district they contest.

Times of Malta revealed the digits after acquiring a copy of the declarations fled by the election candidates. An analysis of the data shows that elected PL candidates spent an average close to €15,000 each.

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With 43 elected members, Labour’s unsuccessful candidates spent a total of €145,700 while the PN’s spent an average of €86,000. The top 10 spenders proved to be Labour candidates except for Joe Giglio, who spent €32,000.

Minister Roderick Galdes topped the list with €39,911, followed by Jo Etienne Abela, Ian Borg and Silvio Schembri just behind Giglio. On the flip side, the two party leaders spent absolutely nothing from personal money, relying on the party for publicity.

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Hugs help women relieve stress more than men study finds

May 24 2022

A new study has suggested that a hug can make a massive difference for women… but men? Unfortunately the same is not applicable.

Researchers have analysed how 76 people responded to stress after a hug from a romantic partner in a study published in journal PLOS One.

Women who got to hug their significant other showed a decrease in the production of cortisol, which is a hormone related to stress. The hormone also has an impact on memory recall, which could make stressful tasks more difficult.

Men did not get the same perk however. The study had a small sample size, but has expertly added to a solid body of science, claims communication professor Kory Floyd.

It is not surprise that touch helps with the body’s regulation, and other studies looking at the benefits of longer contact – like a massage – seem to suggest this.

Of course, a hug is a quickly applied fix for stress and can help buffer stressful situations. It’s difficult to say why men did not experience the same level of stress relief via hugs.

Researchers suggest that social pressures might have something to do with it. The study is not the final word on the matter and, despite the surprising find, requires more investigation.

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Mothers can be politicians too – PN MP takes daughter to parliament

May 23 2022

Nationalist MP Julie Zahra was assisted by her adorable daughter today as she convened to the Maltese parliament.

Zahra first took to social media to post a wholesome photo of her daughter and herself about to enter parliament. As the MP continued her work, other PN MP and youngest in Maltese history Eve Borg Bonello helped in looking after her.

And it seemed as though Julie’s daughter was enjoying every bit of it, keeping busy with some colours and paper. Bonello however also had some things to say about all this, saying that women can be involved in politics whilst also being mothers.

‘Let’s ensure that our institutions accommodate all women, even mothers. And let us carry on this message to the daughters of future generations!’

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