First storms delayed to end of September as heat persists

Sep 9 2022

It seems as though we might have to wait a while longer for that after-rain smell and stormy night huddle ups.

According to Facebook weather page ‘It-Temp Madwarna’, this September is set to be different from the ones of previous years in terms of weather patterns and temperatures.

The first change in weather towards the more wintery usually occurs in the beginning of September, very often close to Victory Day (8th September), which was celebrated yesterday.

However, despite the slight decrease in scorching temperatures, the humid air and southerly winds are still engulfing the islands in summery weather, with a rather oppressive level of heat.

‘This is one of the longest summers ever recorded’ the page claimed. ‘However, it seems as though the first inclinations towards autumn weather with storms and cooler temperatures below 30°C will make their way closer to Independence Day (21 September).’

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Photo source: Samuel Scicluna

Petition for Malta to build monument dedicated to Queen Elizabeth

Sep 9 2022

A petition to build a monument dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II in Malta has been launched. The petition can be found online and has, as of now, gathered 97 signatures. This is very likely to increase, given the connection by the late Queen and the Maltese public.

Launched by Jerome Farrugia, this petition comes after the somber news announced on Thursday by Buckingham palace revealing the tragic death of Queen Elizabeth the Second. Following her death, it was also announced that her son Charles would succeed her to the throne and officially become King Charles the Third.

There already exists a statue dedicated to Queen Victoria situated in the centre of the capital city Valletta. The reason for the petition is stated as: “It is important because this woman gave so much to the world and I think it is our time to show respect and pay her back by honouring her in the form of a statue.”

Queen Elizabeth was Malta’s head of state for 20 years between 1954 and 1974, before Malta became a republic and Sir Anthony Mamo was appointed Malta’s first ever president. The Queen’s links to the Mediterranean island don’t stop there as Malta is the only other country the monarch called home. She lived in a villa in Guardamangia for two years with her husband Prince Phillip.

Her last ever overseas travel was also to Malta back in 2015, when she came to the island in order to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Do you think a statue dedicated to her memory is appropriate in Malta?

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A Life of Controversy: Get to know King Charles III

Sep 9 2022

Britain’s new monarch King Charles III has been a controversial figure throughout his life. Following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, the former Prince of Wales ascended to the British throne.

Prince Charles Philip Arthur George was born on November 14, 1948, in Buckingham Palace. When his mother acceded to the throne in 1952, the 3-year-old prince became the Duke of Cornwall. He became Prince of Wales at 20.

Now 73 years old, he has been the longest serving heir apparent to become the British monarch. The official proclamation by the Accession Council is scheduled to take place on Saturday September 10th at St James’ Palace in London.

Charles was also the first heir not educated home. Reportedly having a very ‘unhappy’ experience at school due to severe bullying, he still became the first British royal to earn a University degree. He studied history at Cambridge University’s Trinity College.

He then spent seven years in uniform, training as a Royal Air Force pilot before joining the Royal Navy, where he learned to fly helicopters. He ended his military career as commander of the HMS Bronington in 1976.

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In the 2018, Charles was named the queen’s designated successor as head of the Commonwealth. A big part of his life, and budding controversial reputation, came through his relationship with Princess Diana.

Charles met Lady Diana Spencer in 1977 when she was 16 and was dating her sister. Rumours of the couple’s engagement swirled after she was invited to spend time with Charles and the royal family after reportedly not having seen each other until 1980.

The couple married on July 29th, 1981 in a globally televised ceremony. Prince William, now heir to the throne, was born less than a year later, followed by his brother Prince Harry.

However, Charles admitted to adultery to a TV interviewer in 1994. In an interview of her own, Diana drew attention to her husband’s relationship with Camilla, saying: “There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded.”

Diana and Charles formally divorced in 1996, with Diana dying at the age of 36 in a high speed car crash whilst being chased by media in Paris. The fallout with Diana and the revelation about his infidelity dented the public image of the British monarchy.

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Rare footage of NASA astronauts struggling to walk on moon makes rounds

Sep 9 2022

‘That’s one small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind’ – well, it seems as though the steps were not as easy to execute as one might think.

The Apollo missions landed multiple men on the moon, from Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11 to Harrison H. Schmitt on Apollo 17.

A less common sight of the moon landing are video clips showing the astronauts bobbing about, trying to find their balance amid the lack of gravity.

The video started doing rounds on Twitter after the account Universal Curiosity shared the NASA footage. It was subsequently reposted by entrepreneur Sahil Bloom, who wrote:

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“I can’t believe I’ve lived 31 years of my life without seeing this. Absolutely hilarious. College me stumbling home from the bar finds this so very relatable.”

On Earth, falling down is usually very painful as gravity ensures a bit of a slam. But falling on the moon is quite different, with the astronauts ending up tumbling slowly. Despite being hilarious to watch, one of the biggest concerns during the moon landings was that the men would not be able to get up after falling about.

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