Tomorrow Marks The Winter Solstice

Dec 20 2024

The winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, occurs when the Sun reaches its most southerly point, directly overhead at the Tropic of Capricorn.

This astronomical event, celebrated on December 21 or 22, heralds the start of winter and has captivated human curiosity for millennia.

During the winter solstice, the North Pole tilts about 23.4° away from the Sun, causing the Sun to take its shortest path across the sky.

In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the summer solstice, with the longest day and the Sun directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer. The solstice date varies slightly each year due to the mismatch between the solar year and our calendar.

This year, the 2024 winter solstice occurs at 9:21 UTC on December 21.

As days begin to lengthen after the solstice, many cultures celebrate it as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Ancient traditions often combined the solstice with festivals, blending science and spirituality.

The solstice also aligns with the astronomical definition of winter, lasting until the vernal equinox in March. Across history and geography, the winter solstice remains a powerful reminder of our connection to the cosmos.

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Zoo Made Critical Mistake Which Could Have Prevented Harambe’s Death

Dec 19 2024

The director of a documentary on Harambe stated that the Ohio Cincinnati Zoo made a crucial mistake that led to the gorilla’s death.

Harambe, a 17-year-old gorilla, was shot in 2016 after a 3 year old boy fell into his enclosure. While interacting with the child, Harambe appeared to drag him, prompting zoo staff to shoot rather than tranquillise the gorilla.

Erik Crown,the director, explained that tranquillisers don’t work as quickly as people believe, and could have agitated Harambe, potentially worsening the situation.

Although Crown wished for a non-lethal outcome, he believes the zookeepers had limited options, however, he also revealed that the zoo’s safety measures were inadequate: the fence was too short, and the zoo was not in compliance with safety guidelines.

While questions were raised about the parents’ role, Crown emphasised that it was the legal responsibility of the zoo to ensure safety.

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Bernard Grech Attends Summit With EU EPP Leaders In Brussels

Dec 19 2024

Partit Nazzjonalista leader Bernard Grech participated in the European People’s Party (EPP) Summit held in Brussels today.

The EPP, the largest political family in Europe, comprises 84 member and affiliate parties from 44 countries and represents the center-right across the European Union. It is also the largest political group in the European Parliament.

During the summit, Grech joined other EPP leaders to discuss pressing issues ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting later this week.

Key topics included EU enlargement, the Mediterranean region’s challenges—especially those unique to Malta as an island nation—and broader geopolitical issues.

The summit also featured discussions with leaders from Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU, some of whom have been waiting decades for membership, predating Malta’s accession.

Other agenda items included the situations in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as global political developments, such as the implications of Donald Trump’s recent election as U.S. President.

EPP President Manfred Weber chaired the meeting, which was attended by prominent figures such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani.

Grech was accompanied at the summit by PN International Secretary Beppe Galea.

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Malta To Participate In 2025 Prisoners Jubilee

Dec 19 2024

Malta’s Minister for the Interior, Security and Work, Byron Camilleri, held a meeting in Rome with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to discuss various matters between the two states.

Camilleri announced that Malta will participate in the 2025 Jubilee of the ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, with a focus on involving prisoners as part of their rehabilitation. This aligns with Malta’s efforts in prison rehabilitation, including mental health support and integration programs.

Both sides agreed to further collaboration for the benefit of citizens. The same commitment was discussed during a meeting between Camilleri and Cardinal Mario Grech in Rome, emphasising the importance of strengthening Malta-Vatican relations, particularly on shared interests such as peace-building.

The Maltese delegation, including Ambassador Frank Zammit and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, also had a general audience with Pope Francis, accompanied by a performance from the Police Band.

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