Dar Bjorn celebrates 5 years since opening with surprise for Maria

Nov 2 2022

In celebration of the opening of Dar Bjorn, the first ever home for people with neurological conditions 5 years ago in Qormi, a special celebration was held outside the building.

Following Bjorn’s recent recovery in hospital, he was admitted once again last week for an operation which luckily was a success.

He was released a day before just in time to celebrate the 5th year anniversary of DAR Bjorn – 5 years since he had realised his dream.

Unbeknownst to some, a special surprise was revealed as a new plaque was revealed dedicating the home to Maria Formosa for her endless hard work and unconditional love.

Maria was visibly moved and Bjorn dedicated DAR Bjorn, the first ever home of its sort in Malta to his wife who has been by his side since day 1. Titled ‘Maria’s Chapter,’ the plaque thanks Maria for her “tireless work and great support.”

Present at the celebration was Bjorn, his wife Maria, Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, Natalie Briffa, Dr.Joseph Massini, Peppi Azzopardi, Peter Busuttil and all 13 residents of DAR Bjorn. The home houses patients suffering from various conditions such as ALS, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and many more.

After opening its doors in 2017, DAR Bjorn has given patients a sense of dignity and their families peace of mind and seeing the large volume of people requiring these services, a second DAR Bjorn will be opening its doors in the coming months.

Nothing but words of praise were given to Bjorn and his wife for their hard work. Qormi’s Mayor reiterated the positive effect this home has had on the town and its residents and how it is serving as an asset to our community.

Meanwhile, Julia Farrugia Portelli shared a personal story saying how important DAR Bjorn is as it gives its residents dignity and comfort. Peppi Azzopardi also spoke, praising the people closest to Bjorn and how much their help is valued, he ended by saying that Bjorn is the brains of the home while Maria is the heart.

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‘Better to be a friend than a bully’ is Piggy Bank Campaign 2022’s theme

Nov 2 2022

The 19th edition of the Istrina BOV Piggy Bank Campaign has just been inaugurated, with the theme of ‘Better to be a friend than a bully’ (Aħjar tkun ħabib milli bully).

The funds raised will all go towards the Malta Community Chest Fund, with President George Vella saying that this campaign aims to cultivate a sense of solitary, unity and love amongst children.

Addressing the same conference, Education and Sports Minister Clifton Grima said that as kids cultivate a sense of altruism, their givings will be going for a noble cause.

BOV Chief Executive Kenneth Farrugia said that throughout the years, a whopping €2.6 million. Last year saw a record of more than €60,000.

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NASA photographs creepy smiling sun for Halloween

Nov 2 2022

It seems as though our very own star wanted to get in on the Halloween action as NASA snapshotted an image of a creepily smiling sun this festive season.

The jack-o’-lantern smile on the sun’s surface are actually splotches that occur on the surface which are cooler than the surrounding areas.

The image was taken by NASA’s space-based Solar Dynamics Observatory and was shared to social media. And in came the comments likening it to various unsettling characters.

Say cheese! 📸

Today, NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the Sun “smiling.” Seen in ultraviolet light, these dark patches on the Sun are known as coronal holes and are regions where fast solar wind gushes out into space. pic.twitter.com/hVRXaN7Z31

— NASA Sun, Space & Scream 🎃 (@NASASun) October 26, 2022

The official Twitter account of NASA referred to it simply as ‘smiling’ sun, whereas the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities council photoshopped a pumpkin onto the image to create a jack-o’-lantern.

Others likened it to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters, a blob fish or even a lion’s eyes and nose. In actuality, the dark areas are coronal holes, which appear as irregular black patches when the sun is imaged in ultraviolet light or X-rays.

Such splotches can appear on the sun at any moment and, being less dense, appear darker in appearance.

Their magnetic field structure also sets them up to release streams of solar wind at speeds of more than 1 million miles per hour. Luckily, Earth’s magnetic field acts a as a shield and largely deflects solar wind activity. These phenomena were however known to disturb the atmosphere.

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St Paul’s Bypass to undergo maintenance for 5 weeks ahead

Nov 2 2022

It was revealed by Transport Malta that, stating from today Wednesday 2nd November and for the next 5 weeks, the northbound carriageway of Dawret San Pawl Road will be undergoing maintenance.

Therefore, the road will be open with one lane in each direction. The agency urged everyone travelling the route to plan ahead when using the route.

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