Malta To Host Second IEEE R8 Robot Championship

Nov 14 2024

Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation, Keith Azzopardi Tanti, together with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE Malta), announced details of the second edition of the IEEE R8 Robot Championship, which will be held in Malta from November 23-24, 2024.

This event continues to raise awareness around robotics and STEM education, aiming to foster international collaboration in technology and innovation.

Building on the success of the 2022 championship, which reached an audience of over 1,500 and earned Malta the prestigious Best STEAM Initiative Award, the event positions Malta as a hub of STEM excellence.

This year’s championship features 18 teams selected from 38 international applicants, creating a platform for students, educators, and experts to exchange innovative ideas and contribute to the future of robotics.

Parliamentary Secretary Azzopardi Tanti emphasized the government’s commitment to STEM and robotics education, noting that the IEEE Championship demonstrates Malta’s investment in young talent within fields critical to the economy.

Dr. Conrad Attard, IEEE Region 8 Chair, highlighted IEEE Malta’s mission for technological excellence, adding that this championship offers an inspiring experience for the international robotics community.

The IEEE event encourages students to build their own robots, learn practical skills, and develop critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation competencies. In collaboration with Tech.mt, MDIA, MCAST, and the University of Malta, the championship also underscores Malta’s expanding STEM initiatives.

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Moons Of Uranus Could Hold Potential For Life

Nov 14 2024

New research suggests that Uranus and its five largest moons may harbour hidden oceans and conditions suitable for life.

Previously, scientists viewed Uranus as a cold, lifeless planet, largely based on data from NASA’s Voyager 2 mission, which visited nearly 40 years ago.

However, recent analysis reveals that Voyager’s encounter took place during an intense solar storm, potentially skewing our perception of the Uranian system by temporarily altering the planet’s magnetic field and sweeping away atmospheric material.

According to Dr. William Dunn from University College London, this disruption may mean Uranus and its moons are more complex than initially believed, with moons that could have subsurface oceans.

Voyager scientist Linda Spilker, who helped analyse the original data, called the findings “thrilling” and expressed excitement about the potential for life within the Uranian system.

NASA is preparing for a follow-up mission, the Uranus Orbiter and Probe, set to launch within the next decade and expected to reach Uranus by 2045. Dr. Jamie Jasinski from NASA noted that the latest study will influence the mission’s design to capture unaffected data. This mission aims to verify whether Uranus’s icy moons might indeed support life.

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Local Police Officer Praised For Dedication To Help Caller

Nov 14 2024

A local who needed assistance from Hal-Qormi’s police station sent a heartfelt message to the Malta Police force for the officer who contacted him’s dedication and professionalism.

‘When I needed and called, she always answered and did not find any excuse to avoid me. Today, she herself called me to update me on my case’, explained M. Piccinino.

‘I understand that she has a lot to do, but I really appreciated her telephone call.’

‘A heartfelt well done goes out to PS 2329 T. Azzopardi from the Qormi Police Station, for her dedication and professionalism. Her supportive approach made a significant difference to Mr Piccinino, who took the time to send us this message of gratitude’, wrote the police force.

‘Your trust and feedback fuel our commitment to providing a professional and trusted service every day. Together, we continue to strengthen our bond with the community we serve.’

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Nike & Hasbro To Release ‘Le Bron 22 Monopoly’

Nov 14 2024

To celebrate Monopoly Day on November 19, Nike and Hasbro have launched an exclusive Monopoly edition honoring LeBron James.

This special set features custom game pieces inspired by James, including King James rings, sneakers, basketballs, and jersey-shaped tokens.

The game board itself showcases key moments from LeBron’s life and career, with custom “Bron Bucks” and milestone highlights.

As part of the launch festivities, a life-sized version of the board will be set up at House Three Thirty in LeBron’s hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Sixth to eighth graders from his I PROMISE School will get to experience the oversized game firsthand on Monopoly Day. Each attendee will also receive a MONOPOLY: LeBron James Edition game board along with products from the collaborative LeBron 22 x Monopoly collection.

Alongside the board game, Nike is also releasing two new LeBron 22 sneaker designs to mark the occasion: the “Currency” model, available on November 15, and the “Token” model, which launches on November 19.

This collaboration blends LeBron’s legendary influence in basketball and popular culture with the classic spirit of Monopoly, bringing fans a unique collectible.

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