Second Turtle Nest Hatches At Golden Bay

Aug 22 2024

In a remarkable display of environmental resilience, Malta celebrated the successful hatching of its second loggerhead turtle nest of the season, with 35 hatchlings making their way to the sea. The nest, originally discovered at Għajn Tuffieħa, was relocated to Ramla tal-Mixquq by the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) due to its proximity to the sea, where it was at risk of being lost.

The relocation proved successful as the nest hatched between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, with the turtles emerging around midnight. The ERA and volunteers from Nature Trust Malta (NTM) have been closely monitoring the nest, ensuring the safe journey of the hatchlings. The efforts mark another achievement in Malta’s turtle conservation initiative, which is spearheaded by the ERA and NTM’s Wildlife Rehab Project.

This is the second nest to hatch this season, following the recent hatching at Ramla tal-Mixquq, where 44 turtles successfully made their way to the sea. The conservation efforts come during a record-breaking year for turtle nesting in Malta, with the discovery of eight nests so far in 2024.

The loggerhead turtle, classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, appears increasingly drawn to Malta’s shores, offering hope for the species despite the island’s urbanization challenges.

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Rain Showers Hit Malta In Various Locations

Aug 22 2024

Videos sent to the Malta Daily newsroom suggest that rain is finally returning to the Maltese islands after a long stretch of hot and humid summer months.

According to the popular Facebook page Malta Weather, the southwestern regions of Malta have already started to experience rainfall. In fact, a video shared with Malta Daily shows rain clearly falling in Mqabba.

This weather change was anticipated by several local sources, with the Facebook page It-Temp Madwarna accurately predicting that certain localities in the western and central parts of Malta would see some rain.

The long-awaited showers mark a welcome relief from the intense summer heat, signaling a possible shift in the weather as the season begins to change.

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Broadcasting Authority Fines RTK For Failing To Give Platform To Far-Right Candidates

Aug 22 2024

The Broadcasting Authority has fined local radio station RTK 103 a total of €4,660 for failing to maintain impartiality by not inviting far-right candidates, such as Norman Lowell of Imperium Europa, onto their program.

This marks the second fine imposed on RTK by the BA, following a €6,410 fine in January when host Andrew Azzopardi stated on-air that he would not allow Norman Lowell to share his extremist, racist, and far-right views on the program.

RTK is currently appealing both fines in court, arguing that they infringe on the station’s editorial freedom by “forcing it to air extremist, racist, far-right political views.”

The station maintains that it fully adhered to the Broadcasting Authority’s directive for “a wide representation of different opinions” during the electoral campaign by inviting over 60 guests with diverse views while excluding all electoral candidates.

The Istitut tal-Ġurnalisti Maltin (IĠM) has expressed solidarity with Andrew Azzopardi and RTK103, stating that “racism needs no protection from the state.”

The IĠM argued that the Authority should not interfere with a station’s editorial policies, nor should it require the airing of content from individuals like Norman Lowell, who has been convicted of racial hate crimes.

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Astrophotographer’s Sun Photos Showcase Astonishing Solar Phenomena

Aug 22 2024

Jason Stromback, an astrophotographer, has captured multiple shots and videos of the Sun in incredible detail, showcasing several solar flares and sunspots. He used various equipment, including the Coronado PST telescope, Skywatcher 80mm ED refractor, Daystar Quark Chromosphere, and the ZWO178MM camera on a Skywatcher GTI mount.

Solar flares are intense bursts of electromagnetic radiation in the Sun’s atmosphere, often releasing energy equivalent to billions of atomic bombs. These flares are caused by a reconfiguration of the Sun’s magnetic fields, resulting in the release of vast amounts of energy.

Solar flares emit radiation across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The most intense radiation from these flares can reach Earth within minutes, causing interference with communication systems, satellites, and even power grids. Solar flares can also trigger auroras, like the Northern and Southern Lights, as the charged particles interact with Earth’s magnetic field.

Stromback’s shots also reveal various sunspots, visible as dark regions on the Sun’s surface. These are cooler areas caused by the twisting and concentration of the Sun’s magnetic field in certain regions, which inhibits the flow of gases from the interior to the Sun’s surface.

#MaltaDaily