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Stephen Mifsud

@mifsteven.bsky.social
586 followers 2.7K following 1 posts

Lawyer and Health Attache and consumer affairs at the Permanent representation of Malta to the EU… private account… all opinions are my own

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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Chris Fearne @chrisfearne.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Bonġu. F’din l-ewwel ġimgħa, u fi żmien ta' tensjoni politika internazzjonali, bdejna bil-ħidma biex inkomplu nħarsu l-interessi ta’ Malta 🇲🇹
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Wood burning pollution leads to 8,600 premature US deaths a year, study finds - Wood is primary heating in 2% of homes but contributes to producing 21% of country’s wintertime particle pollution Story by @drgaryfuller.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Wood burning pollution leads to 8,600 premature US deaths a year, study finds
Wood is primary heating in 2% of homes but contributes to producing 21% of country’s wintertime particle pollution
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Lucia Ruggiero @lruggiero.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
This giant virus hijacks cells’ protein-making machinery to multiply wildly
A virus that is big enough to be seen under an ordinary light microscope co-opts its host’s systems with the help of potentially purloined genes.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Daily Mail @dailymail.co.uk · 14/02/2026
Fat jabs triggering cases of dangerous 'sailors' disease' - and Robbie Williams isn't the only victim trib.al/BNoRiJw
dailymail.co.uk
Fat jabs triggering cases of dangerous 'sailors' disease'
People taking GLP-1 weight loss injections could be at risk of the Victorian disease scurvy, top dieticians have warned.
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Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
scitechdaily.com/the-common-v...
scitechdaily.com
The Common Virus Scientists Say May Trigger Multiple Sclerosis
A new study reveals how Epstein-Barr virus may provoke immune cells to attack the brain, offering fresh hope for treating multiple sclerosis.
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Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
scitechdaily.com/this-brain-c...
scitechdaily.com
This Brain Condition Quadruples Dementia Risk And Most People Have Never Heard of It
A hidden protein buildup in brain blood vessels may quietly quadruple dementia risk—often without a stroke as warning.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
www.sciencealert.com/us-cancer-su...
sciencealert.com
US Cancer Survival Has Reached a Milestone High of 70%
Cancer may be an inevitability of cell division and, therefore, life.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
www.news-medical.net/news/2026012...
news-medical.net
Reducing alcohol consumption could significantly lower cancer deaths
Reducing annual alcohol consumption in Australia by one litre a person could significantly lower deaths from several major cancers, particularly among older Australians, a new study led by La Trobe Un...
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Telegraph Global Health Security @telglobalhealth.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Mpox may be spreading asymptomatically, greatly increasing its threat, finds new study Researchers say the findings are important because it may alter the way in which the virus is monitored in future More below⬇️ www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
telegraph.co.uk
Mpox may be spreading asymptomatically, greatly increasing its threat, finds new study
Researchers say the findings are important because it may alter the way in which the virus is monitored in future
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
phys.org/news/2026-01...
phys.org
Scientists discover a hidden RNA 'aging clock' in human sperm
Increasing paternal age has been linked to elevated health risks for the next generation, including higher risks of obesity and stillbirth. But what drives this increased risk remains unknown.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Telegraph Global Health Security @telglobalhealth.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
Superbug fears as new drug-resistant strains of typhoid emerge in Asia Scientists discover a gene capable of breaking down carbapenems, a class of powerful antibiotics seen as a drug of last resort More below ⬇️ www.telegraph.co.uk/global-healt...
telegraph.co.uk
Superbug fears as new drug-resistant strains of typhoid emerge in Asia
Scientists discover a gene capable of breaking down carbapenems, a class of powerful antibiotics seen as a drug of last resort
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EUwatch 🇪🇺 @euwatch.live · 16/12/2025
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
theguardian.com
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
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euobserver — EU news that matters @euobserver.com · 07/10/2025
Forever chemicals are everywhere: bloodstream, drinking water and outdoor clothing. A new study shows that they are also in European officials.
euobserver.com
Tests find 100% of EU officials have 'forever chemicals' in bloodstream
Forever chemicals are everywhere: bloodstream, drinking water and outdoor clothing. A new study shows that they are also in European officials.
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Reuters @reuters.com · 07/10/2025
European Union to curb Russian diplomats' travel, FT says reut.rs/46Wkpxm
reut.rs
European Union to curb Russian diplomats' travel, FT says
European Union governments have agreed to limit the travel of Russian diplomats within the bloc, the Financial Times said on Tuesday.
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Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
www.wapt.com/article/publ...
wapt.com
Mississippi declares public health emergency over rising infant mortality rates
The Mississippi State Department of Health has declared a public health emergency due to increasing infant mortality rates, with a focus on improving maternal health and expanding care resources.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
www.sciencealert.com/a-disease-th...
sciencealert.com
A Disease That Makes You Allergic to Meat And Dairy Is Spreading Around The World
Hours after savoring that perfectly grilled steak on a beautiful summer evening, your body turns traitor, declaring war on the very meal you just enjoyed.
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The Guardian @theguardian.com · 09/06/2025
‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study
theguardian.com
‘Ticking timebomb’: sea acidity has reached critical levels, threatening entire ecosystems – study
Ocean acidification has already crossed a crucial threshold for planetary health, scientists say in unexpected finding * More on this story: The scientists warning the world about ocean acidification – ‘evil twin’ of the climate crisis The world’s oceans are in worse health than realised, scientists have said today, as they warn that a key measurement shows we are “running out of time” to protect marine ecosystems. Ocean acidification, often called the “evil twin” of the climate crisis, is caused when carbon dioxide is rapidly absorbed by the ocean, where it reacts with water molecules leading to a fall in the pH level of the seawater. It damages coral reefs and other ocean habitats and, in extreme cases, can dissolve the shells of marine creatures. Continue reading...
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Heather Shearer @heather-sea55.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
🧪”Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the U.S., responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually. In comparison, alcohol-related vehicle crashes cause around 13,500 deaths each year in the U.S.” theconversation.com/alcohol-caus...
theconversation.com
Alcohol causes cancer, and less than 1 drink can increase your risk − a cancer biologist explains how
Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of cancer in the US, accounting for tens of thousands of cancer deaths per year.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 22/03/2025
Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says
theguardian.com
Brexit a key factor in worst UK medicine shortages in four years, report says
Nuffield Trust says supply chains have shifted, with drugs for epilepsy and cystic fibrosis among those now scarce Drug shortages in the UK have risen to their worst level for four years, official figures show, with Brexit considered a key reason so many medications are scarce. Drug companies notified the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) about disruptions to supply 1,938 times during last year – the highest number since the 1,967 seen in 2021. Continue reading...
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 15/03/2025
Measles Can Damage the Immune System for Years www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/w... 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter 🍁
measles rash
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European Commission @ec.europa.eu · 28/02/2025
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control detected 620,000 Chikungunya virus cases and 213 deaths last year. Today, we approved a vaccine against the virus for individuals over 12 years old. → europa.eu/!XvkvCk
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Heather Ferguson @drheatherferg.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
“We have, for the first time, an effective treatment for the most severe form of childhood blindness, and a potential paradigm shift to treatment at the earliest stages of the disease.” How amazing - how lives can be changed when we support science www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Doctors in London cure blindness in children with rare condition
Four children can now see shapes, find toys, recognise their parents’ faces and some can read and write
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Michiel Petitjean 🇪🇺 @michielpetitjean.bsky.social · 17/02/2025
Belgian MEP Liesbet Sommen spoke about critical medicines shortages, EU Pharma Package progress, and SANT’s evolving role. 🩺 www.euractiv.com/section/heal...
euractiv.com
Smaller EU states risk being left behind in critical medicines market, says Belgian MEP Sommen - Euractiv
Belgian MEP Liesbet Sommen spoke with Euractiv about critical medicines shortages, EU Pharma Package progress, and SANT's evolving role.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Karen Tumulty @ktumulty.bsky.social · 08/02/2025
www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
washingtonpost.com
NIH cuts billions of dollars in biomedical funding, effective immediately
The move halts a large slice of money for most universities and research institutions virtually overnight, imperiling vital research in everything from cancer to heart disease.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Shailly Gupta @shaillygupta.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
What good are medicines and new medical technologies when they can’t be accessed by people? As we say in MSF, medicines and medical tolls and now medical care shouldn’t be a luxury !
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Four lessons COVID taught us about the immune system
In the midst of pandemic upheaval, researchers have gained fundamental insights about how the body fends off infections.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 25/01/2025
🚨NEW B4B & @yougov.co.uk MEGAPOLL: All GB constituencies favour trade with the EU over the US. Including Nigel Farage's Clacton constituency - and Boston & Skegness, which had the highest Leave vote in the 2026 referendum. Read more from @theguardian.com👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
‘Move closer to Europe – not Trump’ voters tell Starmer in major UK poll
Pressure growing on Labour to improve trade with EU as Rachel Reeves admits Brexit damaged UK
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Madhu Pai, MD, PhD @madhupai.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
"Public health successes can be fragile. Politics, education, trust in science – these things all matter, and with the fraying of trust that is unfolding in front of us, we risk losing that hard-won progress" - @adamratnermd.bsky.social www.forbes.com/sites/madhuk...
forbes.com
Public Health Success Is Fragile - The Return Of Measles Is Proof
Measles is surging and vaccine hesitancy is up. In his book "Booster Shots," Dr Adam Ratner explains why measles is back and how we can control this deadly infectious killer.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Anton Gerashchenko @antongerashchenko.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
“Ecological bomb” — Another Russian tanker, this time drifting off the coast of France, raises alarm ▪️A Russian tanker broke down and is drifting in the Bay of Biscay off the coast of France. The ship, named Unity,lost power in stormy conditions on January 23,according to the publication Splash247
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Microplastics block blood flow in the brain, mouse study reveals
Real-time imaging shows how plastic-stuffed cells form clumps that affect mouse movement.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Melody Schreiber @melodyschreiber.com · 24/01/2025
This by @sivav.bsky.social is really good “It’s possible that everything else in society is amplifying or even causing so much of the distress, and constant phone use is a symptom and often necessary response.” newrepublic.com/article/1903...
newrepublic.com
Are Cell Phones Really Destroying Kids’ Mental Health?
Jonathan Haidt once heralded an “ultrasocial” world. Now he’s one of social media’s most prominent critics.
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Piotr Serafin @piotrserafin.bsky.social · 23/01/2025
Together with Commissioner for Sport Glenn Micallef we are running for WOŚP on Sunday in Brussels. Join us! #BeActive W niedzielę w Brukseli razem z Komisarzem ds Sportu Glenn’em Micallef biegniemy dla WOŚP ! Dołącz do nas! wosp.be/19-bieg/
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Euronews @euronews.com · 23/01/2025
First-day executive orders signed by the new US president could make it impossible for thousands of EU businesses and public bodies to use US cloud providers such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon without breaching EU privacy.
euronews.com
Trump rollback jeopardises EU-US data transfers: privacy activist says
First-day executive orders signed by the new US president could make it impossible for thousands of EU businesses and public bodies to use US cloud providers such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon witho...
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 21/01/2025
We have entered a new era of harsh geostrategic competition. Breaking the bonds in the global economy is in no one’s interest. Europe will keep seeking cooperation. With our long-time friends. And any country we share interests with Watch my speech live here → europa.eu/!Jw63DJ
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BEUC - The Consumer Voice @beuc.eu · 20/01/2025
Whether it’s juices with more sugar than cola proudly labelled as ‘antioxidant’, salty processed meat enticing consumers with ‘source of protein’ or even biscuits boasting about their fibre content, it's clear that the legislation to #StopDodgyClaims is needed more than ever. buff.ly/3CfCpaO
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
Healthcare-Global @healthcare-global.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
medicalxpress.com/news/2025-01...
medicalxpress.com
Why a daily glass of milk really could reduce bowel cancer risk—an oncologist explains
A glass of milk a day could help keep bowel cancer away—or so finds a study by Oxford University and Cancer Research UK. The research suggests that increasing daily milk intake by as little as one gla...
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European Commission @ec.europa.eu · 19/01/2025
Find out more: europa.eu/!NXXWnw
europa.eu
New EU rules on Health Technology Assessment open up a new era for patient access to innovation
On Sunday, 12 January, the Regulation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) will become applicable, bringing a significant improvement in ensuring that innovative and effective health technologies are...
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European Commission @ec.europa.eu · 19/01/2025
💊 Patients deserve access to innovative, effective health technologies. New EU law, in force from this month, introduces a permanent EU framework for Health Technology Assessment, helping to ensure faster, broader access to more effective healthcare products and stimulating innovation.
A modern MRI machine in a bright, clinical setting, featuring a sleek design with glowing blue accents. The room has white walls with blue stripes, and a European Commission logo is visible in the bottom-right corner.
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
“It's not easy to be exact, but studies estimate that tires create anywhere from 10-28% of the world's microplastic pollution, according to National Geographic. These particles don't just disappear — they end up in our water, our soil, and our bodies.”
thecooldown.com
Scientists make disturbing new discovery while studying human urine samples: 'We urgently need to classify [this]'
A recent study found high levels of two potentially deadly chemicals in humans' urine, raising concerns about tire pollution.
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BYTESEU @byteseu.bsky.social · 19/01/2025
Carlo Buontempo: Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service: ‘It’s likely that 2024 was the hottest of the last 100,000 years’ | Climate www.byteseu.com/665287 The average annual temperature of the planet is a mathematical calculation made with measurements taken around the world …
byteseu.com
Carlo Buontempo: Director of Copernicus Climate Change Service: ‘It’s likely that 2024 was the hottest of the last 100,000 years’ | Climate
The average annual temperature of the planet is a mathematical calculation made with measurements taken around the world over the course of a year. As Carlo Buontempo (Rome, 52 years old), director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service — the European Union’s Earth observation program — points out, the main bodies that monitor the world’s climate use different data and methodologies. However, this week these groups presented their 2024 assessment in near-synchronicity, and the results are “very, very similar.” “These are not opinions, they’re facts,” says the Italian climatologist, who is concerned that society is not taking advantage of the
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BYTESEU @byteseu.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
New Research Shows Calorie Labels in Supermarkets and Restaurants Are Ineffective www.byteseu.com/664030 Calorie labels in supermarkets and restaurants have little impact on consumer choices, researchers found, fuelling doubts about whether the practice is worth keeping. The effect of …
byteseu.com
New Research Shows Calorie Labels in Supermarkets and Restaurants Are Ineffective
Calorie labels in supermarkets and restaurants have little impact on consumer choices, researchers found, fuelling doubts about whether the practice is worth keeping.The effect of the dietary information is a calorie reduction of about 1.8%, which amounts to removing two almonds from a 600-calorie meal, according to a review by the UK non-profit Cochrane. The researchers aggregated results from 25 studies from countries including the US, UK and France.A new generation of obesity drugs like Novo Nordisk A/S’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly & Co.’s Zepbound is changing the conversation around obesity, its causes and how to cure it.To get better
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JuventusFC @juventusfc.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
FT |⌛| Vinciamo noi. ⚪⚫️ Powered by @EASPORTSFC #JuveMilan
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Max von Thun @maxvonthun.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
www.ft.com/content/2305...
ft.com
Young people are hanging out less — it may be harming their mental health
Could the decline of face-to-face interaction tie together several modern mysteries?
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Reposted by Stephen Mifsud
BYTESEU @byteseu.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
Malta confirmed as part of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance www.byteseu.com/663988 Malta officially joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), an alliance of around 30 countries and organisations, the government said Saturday. This milestone follows the present …
byteseu.com
Malta confirmed as part of the Global Offshore Wind Alliance
Malta officially joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA), an alliance of around 30 countries and organisations, the government said Saturday. This milestone follows the present government's significant initiatives in advancing the offshore renewable energy sector. GOWA confirmed Malta's membership during an event held as part of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)'s 15th Assembly. Malta's decision to join GOWA reflects its commitment to contributing to collaborative initiatives within the offshore wind energy sector. By engaging with international partners, Malta aims to accelerate the deployment of offshore renewable energy; a crucial element in global efforts to mitigate
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David Oliver @mancunianmedic.bsky.social · 18/01/2025
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/jan...
theguardian.com
Labour considering ban on use of NDAs to hush up sexual misconduct at work
Ministers prepared to back change in law to prohibit misuse of gagging clauses by employers, it is understood
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natashaazzmus.bsky.social @natashaazzmus.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
Truly delighted to kick off my travels for 2025 with a visit to Poland to participate in the CMO/ CNO/ CDO meeting and launch the #EUNursingAction We look forward to working with our member states, our partners and of course the European Commission which is funding and supporting this action.
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BYTESEU @byteseu.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
The 2nd Libyan European Forum for Oil, Gas, and Energy will be held in Malta from 15 – 16 May www.byteseu.com/660193 The Libyan European Forum for Oil, Gas, and Energy will hold its second edition from 15 – 16 May in Malta under the patronage of the National Oil Corporation (NOC). The …
byteseu.com
The 2nd Libyan European Forum for Oil, Gas, and Energy will be held in Malta from 15 – 16 May
The Libyan European Forum for Oil, Gas, and Energy will hold its second edition from 15 – 16 May in Malta under the patronage of the National Oil Corporation (NOC). The organisers inform Libya Herald that many companies, institutions and experts in the oil, gas and energy sectors will be participating alongside national and international companies involved in supporting services related to technical and logistical services of the sectors. Discussion topicsTopics to be discussed at the event will include projects proposed by the NOC to rapidly develop its oil sector and meet its needs and enhance its capabilities and technical
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Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 16/01/2025
Research links eating processed red meat to increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline www.healthing.ca/wellness/bra... Get weekly updates: CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter 🍁
Processed meats like ham, bacon, hot dogs and sausages that have been modified through salting, curing, fermentation, or smoking, account for a large proportion of the world’s meat consumption. A guy tends to hot dogs on a BBQ — GETTY IMAGES
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BYTESEU @byteseu.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Malta Hits Record High With 940,000 Cruise Passengers In 2024 www.byteseu.com/657674 2024 has been a landmark year for cruise tourism in Malta, with a record-breaking 940,000 passenger movements registered at the Valletta Cruise Port—4% higher than the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Deputy …
byteseu.com
Malta Hits Record High With 940,000 Cruise Passengers In 2024
2024 has been a landmark year for cruise tourism in Malta, with a record-breaking 940,000 passenger movements registered at the Valletta Cruise Port—4% higher than the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg, Transport Minister Chris Bonett, and Valletta Cruise Port CEO Stephen Xuereb shared the exciting news during a visit to the Grand Harbour, highlighting the industry’s resilience and contribution to Malta’s economy. Some key highlights from 2024 where that there were 357 cruise ship calls in 2024 and cruise tourism contributed an estimated €88 million to Malta’s economy: €38 million from passenger spending and €50 million
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António Costa @eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu · 16/01/2025
The EU remains committed to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-State solution. We will continue providing humanitarian aid and supporting UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority.
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