October 5, 2022

​ As his first engagement related to the Arraiolos Malta Meeting, this afternoon President George Vella received the President of the Hungarian Republic, Katalin Novák, at Sant’Anton Palace.   Official talks touched upon the latest developments concerni​ng the war in Ukraine and its immediate effects on energy security. Exchanges also revolved around the enlargement of the European Union, with both presidents underlining the importance of keeping Western Balkan countries on track. Migration and other demographic issues were raised together with the ongoing dialogue between the European Commission and Hungary in the context of rule of law. President Vella took this opportunity

Official talks were held this evening between President George Vella and President Borut Pahor of Slovenia at Sant’Anton Palace. President Pahor is in Malta to participate in the ‘Arraiolos’ Meeting for Non-Executive Heads of State of the European Union, which is being hosted by President Vella tomorrow, 6th October. During this meeting, the two presidents discussed a number of themes that would also be covered during the plenary sessions of the ‘Arraiolos’ meeting with their other colleagues. The situation in Ukraine was discussed at length from geopolitical and energy security perspectives. The need for unity was underlined by both presidents.

For the first time in 20 years, a Russian cosmonaut rocketed from the U.S. on Wednesday, launching to the International Space Station alongside NASA and Japanese astronauts despite tensions over the war in Ukraine. Their SpaceX flight was delayed by Hurricane Ian, which ripped across the state last week. “I hope with this launch we will brighten up the skies over Florida a little bit for everyone,” said the Japan Space Agency’s Koichi Wakata, who is making his fifth spaceflight. Joining him on a five-month mission are three new to space: Marine Col. Nicole Mann, the first Native American woman

The deaths of dozens of children in Gambia from kidney injuries may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, the World Health Organization said Wednesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters that the U.N. agency was investigating along with Indian regulators and the drugmaker, New Delhi-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals. Maiden declined to comment on the alert, while calls and Reuters messages to the Drugs Controller General of India went unanswered. India’s health ministry also did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The WHO issued a medical product alert asking regulators to