WHO issues warning against artificial sweeteners

May 16 2023

The World Health Organisation has just released a warning against artificial sweeteners, which many use to replace sugar in their cup of tea or various other products.

New guidelines have just been released by the United Nation’s health agency, advising against the use of the non-sugar sweeteners, also referred to as NSS.

No long term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children was conferred in the use of NSS, with other suggestions of potential undesirable effects such as increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and mortality in adults.

The sweeteners have long been at the centre of controversy, and the latest research surrounding them suggest that there is no benefits when it comes to weight control.

In a statement, director for nutrition and food safety Francesco Branca said that people need to find other ways to reduce free sugar intake. This could be done by eating foods with naturally occurring sugars like fruit, or unsweetened food and beverages.

People should reduce the sweetness of their diet altogether, starting early in life, the director said.

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Happy 31st birthday to the world’s oldest living dog Bobi!

May 16 2023

The world’s oldest living dog has just turned 31!

Bobi was born on May 11th 1992, and his beloved owner Leonel Costa will be organising a big birthday party for his best friend in his hometown of Conqueiros in Portugal.

Bobi, who only eats human food, will be served local meats and fish as guests attend the big day. Bobi is reportedly set to perform in a little dance performance with an attending troupe!

‘More than 100 people’ are due to attend the party, Costa told Guinness World Records, with some flying from abroad just for the occasion.

Ever since Bobi was awarded the title, lots of journalists visited the dog to snap pictures and meet the star. Bobi is reportedly in good health despite his age, but he does take routine vet check-ups.

His age was confirmed by the Veterinary Medical Service of the Municipality of Leiria as well as SIAC, a pet database authorised by the Portuguese government.

More about Bobi here.

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Building permits in Malta drop 18.6% in first 3 months of 2023

May 16 2023

According to the National Statistics Office, 496 building permits for a total of 2,540 new dwellings were approved during the first quarter of 2023.

When compared to the corresponding quarter of 2022, the number of building permits decreased by 18.6%. The number of approved new dwellings also decreased by 20.7%, with the average number of approved new dwellings per building permit standing at 5.1.

The report found that the majority of new dwellings approved were apartments at 1,819. This was followed by penthouses at 393, maisonettes at 224, terraced houses at 74 and other residential units at 30.

Apartments accounted for 71.6% of the total number of approved new dwellings.

This is a decrease of 18.9% and 29.0% for Malta and Gozo respectively when it comes to the same quarter of 2022.

The highest number of approved new dwellings were registered in the Northern district at 599 while the lowest number was recorded at 270 in the Southern Harbour district.

St Paul’s bay registered the highest number of approved new buildings at 178.

Full report here.

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Malta the ‘World’s Hardest Working Country’ out of 150

May 16 2023

According to a new analysis by Business Name Generator, Malta has classified as the most hard working country in the world out of 150 other countries.

With 42.8 in average paid work hours per week, Malta was found to have 91.1% of workers working 49 or more hours per week.

Malta topped a list which includes Bhutan, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh in 2nd, 3rd and 4th place respectively.

Most notable is the difference between 1st and 2nd place, with Bhutan registering 53.9% of its workers working 49 or more hours per week.

However, Bhutan still registered slightly more average paid work hours per week at 50.7.

‘On the other end of the spectrum, countries such as Israel, Austria, Netherlands, and France appear at the bottom of the ranking, with shorter work weeks and minimal overtime contributing to this’ the study explained.

‘While this may suggest a more laid-back approach to work in these nations, it may also reflect a commitment to work-life balance and a focus on personal well-being.’

Read full report here.

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