Hero rats being trained to find and rescue earthquake survivors

Jun 4 2022

Rats are now being trained to search for people who are trapped in the collapsing rubble from earthquakes.

A group of furry rodents have been undergoing behavioural training to embark into danger zones carrying tiny backpacks with location trackers and microphones so survivors can communicate with rescue teams.

Due to their size and agility, they are perfect candidates to dive into little holes and crevices and find people who need assistance.

They have never even set off any landmines in their training, meaning that they are intensely careful as to how they navigate terrain.

Dr Donna Kean, from Glasgow, has been working with non-profit organisation APOPO as part of this project titled ‘Hero Rats.’ They will get their chance when they are sent to Turkey due to it being prone to earthquakes.

Around 170 rats are being trained for projects such as detecting landmines and even tuberculosis. Perfect at adapting, they are also very trainable and could even change common misconceptions about them through such work.

#MaltaDaily

Prince Louis steals the entire show during Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Jun 4 2022

Prince Louis, the youngest Cambridge child, stole the entire show at the flypast for the Queen, pulling faces and covering his ears as planes soared.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s four-year-old son wore a light blue sailor top with a striped collar, sleeves and shorts for the birthday parade kicking off the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The suit looked exactly the same as the one worn by his father Prince William back in 1985 when he was three as he too watched planes fly past.

Louis is fifth in line to the throne, and was first seen with his older siblings, Charlotte and George, in a carriage as he waved to the public. His sister pushed his hand down but he started to wave again soon after.

But his faces were the main attraction, as he stood next to the Queen and his gestures were the crowd’s main entertainment.

And this couldn’t but help remind us of one local counter-part – Giorgia Mae during her father Robert Abela’s swearing in as Prime Minister…

#MaltaDaily

Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’ in Top 10 charts thanks to Stranger Things

Jun 4 2022

Musical sensation Kate Bush has climbed back in the Top 10 of the UK singles chart for the third time since the 1980s after Netflix show Stranger Things used one of her tracks in the new fourth season.

‘Running Up That Hill’, which had reached No. 3 following the initial release in 1985, reached number 8 this week based on streams and downloads.

After a slow start at the beginning of the week, when the song was still outside the Top 100, the popularity exploded after fans of the mystery drama watched THAT scene and recognised Bush’s genius.

The song plays a key part in the series (without spoiling too much) and it has now gone on to be streamed each day on Spotify in the US and UK. It is even in the same number 2 position as Harry Styles’ ‘As It Was’ on Apple Music.

The song also shows the cultural power Stranger Things has on the zeitgeist. The season 4 premier registered the biggest one ever on Netflix, with viewers spending 287m hours watching the first seven episodes.

#MaltaDaily

Man injured after gas cylinder explodes in Valletta

Man injures after gas cylinder explodes in Valletta

Jun 4 2022

Police were informed yesterday at around 2200hrs that an explosion was heard coming from an establishment in Triq l-Ordinanza, Valletta.

After convening on site, preliminary investigations found that a gas cylinder had exploded, inuring a 44-year-old man.

Civil Protection and a medical team were called on site, with an ambulance taking the man to Mater Dei Hospital for further medical attention. He was later certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Investigations are ongoing.

#MaltaDaily