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Marbled Electric Ray Spotted in Maltese Waters

Marbled Electric Ray Spotted in Maltese Waters
Nov 20 2024 Share

A marbled electric ray (Torpedo marmoratus), known in Maltese as haddiela, was recently photographed in Maltese waters by Alessio Marrone. The image was shared by marine biologist Alan Deidun, drawing attention to this uncommon sighting.

The marbled electric ray is capable of delivering an electric shock of up to 200 volts, which it uses mainly to defend itself against predators. Typically a solitary and nocturnal species, it is more commonly found in the Atlantic but does occasionally appear in the Mediterranean.

 

Sightings are rare, as the ray tends to remain hidden in sandy sea beds during daylight hours. However, its distinctive marbled pattern makes it stand out when spotted.

Divers and marine enthusiasts are reminded to observe the ray from a safe distance, as its electric discharge can be harmful. This encounter highlights the rich biodiversity of Malta’s marine environment and reinforces the importance of protecting it.

Alan Deidun’s post featuring Marrone’s photograph sheds light on the lesser-seen inhabitants of Malta’s waters, encouraging greater appreciation and respect for local marine ecosystems.

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Maltese Olympian Swims With Orcas In Arctic

Maltese Olympian Swims With Orcas In Arctic
Nov 20 2024 Share

Maltese Olympic swimmer Nikki took to social media to share the moment she captured as she swam with the ocean’s apex predator – the orca – in the arctic.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nikki OLY (@nikkiiiswim)

‘I am beyond captivated by these animals ~ we’ve had to learn about their behaviours in order for them to trust us being anywhere close ~ I feel nothing but the biggest respect’, she wrote.

She wrote how she loves that any encounter with a killer whale is on their terms – ‘gain their trust and they’ll approach you.’

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Jaguar Unveils New Logo as It Shifts to Electric-Only Future

Jaguar Unveils New Logo as It Shifts to Electric-Only Future
Nov 20 2024 Share

Luxury automobile brand Jaguar has unveiled a new logo as part of its transition to an electric-only lineup. The rebrand features a distinctive mix of upper and lower case letters, spelling “JaGUar.” Alongside the logo, the company released a brand film showcasing its new direction, although the film’s focus on a diverse group of models instead of cars has sparked confusion among audiences.

Jaguar, owned by Tata Motors, announced in 2021 that it would become an electric vehicle (EV) company, with three new EVs set for release in 2026. To mark this shift, the company has adopted the tagline “Copy Nothing,” emphasizing its commitment to originality, as inspired by founder Sir William Lyons’ philosophy. Managing director Rawdon Glover explained that pausing the sale of new cars allowed Jaguar to create a clear divide between its legacy models and the upcoming electric range.

Despite the bold move, audience reactions have been mixed. Some critics have likened the new logo to that of a toy electric car brand, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk jokingly asked, “Do you sell cars?” Jaguar responded with an invitation to Musk for a meeting in Miami on December 2nd.

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Strengthening EU Rural Ecosystems: MCAST’s Contributions to Innovation Guide Project

Strengthening EU Rural Ecosystems: MCAST’s Contributions to Innovation Guide Project
Nov 20 2024 Share

The Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) is thrilled to announce significant progress in the Innovation GUIDE project, now approaching its completion in December 2024.

The Innovation GUIDE project, funded with a budget of almost €500,000, represents a collaborative effort among six organisations from Turkey, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malta. MCAST has been dedicated to fostering sustainable innovations that address the unique regional needs of rural regions. The project aims to connect rural ecosystems, stimulate entrepreneurship, and drive economic growth across key sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, sustainable tourism, and the bioeconomy.

As a prominent partner in this transnational initiative, MCAST has achieved key milestones, particularly through its leadership in an important project segment focusing on advancing rural innovation ecosystems across Europe. The College’s input has focused on identifying innovation pathways, mapping stakeholders, and conducting comprehensive governance analysis. This approach enabled MCAST to engage actively with stakeholders across the Quadruple Helix (Q-Helix) model —academia, industry, government, and civil society —enhancing collaboration and facilitating impactful insights.

Through these efforts, MCAST has gained essential perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities within Malta’s rural ecosystems. By concentrating on agriculture, fisheries, bioeconomy, and sustainable tourism, the College has contributed to shaping an inclusive and resilient rural innovation ecosystem supporting national and European objectives. This aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reinforces MCAST’s commitment to sustainable growth.

A pivotal milestone in this project was achieved earlier in 2024, when MCAST hosted a regional workshop titled “Thriving Entrepreneurship: Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, and Bioeconomy in Malta” at its Institute of Engineering and Transport. This notable event brought together leaders from across the Q-Helix, providing a platform to examine the opportunities and challenges facing rural entrepreneurship in Malta. Engaging in discussions fostered collaboration and inspired innovative solutions to promote sustainable practices in the sectors.

Further amplifying its role in the project, MCAST helped coordinate the Interregional Online Event on Innovation and Rural Entrepreneurship in September 2024. This event connected rural innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurs from all participating countries, facilitating collaboration with various networks and entities. Through active exchanges with Q-Helix representatives, participants co-created solutions tailored to the agriculture, bioeconomy, fisheries, and sustainable tourism sectors, reinforcing the project’s mission to strengthen rural entrepreneurship and sustainable development across Europe.

The Innovation GUIDE project reached a culminating milestone during the Türkiye Innovation Week, marking a significant step in its mission to promote rural innovation across Europe. This event attracted over 15,000 participants, including representatives from Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, and Malta, demonstrating the strength of collaboration and cross-border partnerships in addressing rural communities’ unique challenges. Over three days, attendees exchanged ideas, discussed cutting-edge innovations, and generated forward-thinking solutions to drive sustainable rural development across borders.

 

As a result of the Innovation GUIDE project, significant progress has been made in establishing interconnected innovation ecosystems across the European Union, with a particular emphasis on less-represented rural areas. This initiative has strengthened synergies between rural regions, creating a supportive environment for innovation through active stakeholder engagement. It also led to the organization of regional and international workshops that promoted cooperation among private sector entities, academia, public authorities, civil society, and entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the project’s focus on inclusivity contributed to developing gender-equal innovation environments and coaching programs, empowering rural entrepreneurs while promoting sustainable growth within these communities. The impact of the project’s outcomes is expected to continue shaping the rural innovation landscape across Europe.

Innovation GUIDE has received funding from the European Union under Grant Agreement 101134854. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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