Town In Alaska Won’t See Sunlight for 65 Straight Days

Nov 20 2024

Utqiagvik, Alaska, formerly known as Barrow, has entered its annual polar night, a period when the sun remains below the horizon for about 65 days. The sun set for the last time at 1:43 p.m. on Sunday, and it will not rise again until January 22.

Polar night occurs in regions above the Arctic Circle due to the Earth’s tilt, which positions the Arctic out of the sun’s view during winter. While the sun will not rise, residents may experience brief periods of civil twilight, offering a faint glow on the horizon.

Utqiagvik, home to around 4,000 people, is the first Alaskan town to experience polar night each year because of its far northern location. Other towns in the Arctic region, including Kaktovik, Point Hope, and Anaktuvuk Pass, will follow with their final sunsets between late November and early December.

This annual phenomenon is balanced by a period of continuous sunlight during summer, when the sun does not set for weeks. For now, residents of Utqiagvik and other Arctic communities adapt to the extended darkness, embracing the unique challenges and beauty of life at the top of the world.

#MaltaDaily

Celebrities Gather For Liam Payne’s Funeral On Wednesday

Nov 20 2024

Family, friends, and former bandmates gathered on Wednesday in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, to bid farewell to Liam Payne, who passed away on October 16 at the age of 31.

The private funeral saw the attendance of Payne’s One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, alongside his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and former partner Cheryl, with whom he shared a son, Bear.

Payne’s coffin arrived at St Mary’s Church in a white horse-drawn hearse adorned with floral tributes spelling “son” and “daddy.”

Four pallbearers carried the coffin from the church, followed by Payne’s parents and Cheryl. Cheryl’s Girls Aloud bandmates Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts attended, along with Simon Cowell, One Direction’s former label boss, who offered comfort to Payne’s family.

Presenters James Corden, Marvin and Rochelle Humes, Scott Mills, and Adrian Chiles were also present.

Among the floral tributes was a 10-pin bowling arrangement, honouring one of Payne’s favourite hobbies. While some locals gathered outside, fans were notably absent, respecting calls to allow the family privacy.

Payne tragically died after a fall from the third floor of a Buenos Aires hotel. His family described him as a kind, funny, and brave soul.

A pivotal member of One Direction, Payne achieved global fame, selling 70 million records during the band’s career and continuing with solo success.

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First Mummified Saber-Toothed Kitten Found in Siberian Permafrost

Nov 20 2024

A 35,000-year-old mummified saber-toothed cat cub has been unearthed in Siberia, marking the first known mummy of its kind. Discovered near the Badyarikha River in Yakutia in 2020, the Homotherium latidens cub was preserved in permafrost, with abundant fur, soft tissue, and intact forelimbs. This rare find sheds light on the anatomy and lifestyle of the extinct predator, renowned for its long, blade-like canines.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study details the cub’s thick, soft, dark brown fur and preserved “beans” – the fleshy pads on its paws. Lead researcher Alexey V. Lopatin described seeing the mummy as a “fantastic feeling,” providing an unparalleled view of an ancient predator. The discovery represents the first Homotherium specimen found in Asia, adding to fossil evidence from Europe and North America.

Paleontologist Jack Tseng hailed the find as transformative, noting the rarity of such well-preserved soft tissue. Radiocarbon dating places the cub in the Pleistocene epoch, offering a glimpse into feline evolution, as Homotherium split from other cats 18 million years ago. DNA extraction and further analysis of the skeleton and muscles are expected to unlock more secrets of this remarkable ice age predator.

#MaltaDaily

Parliamentary Secretary Attends EU Fisheries Council Of Ministers In Brussels

Nov 20 2024

Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Animal Rights, Alicia Bugeja Said, participated in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers in Brussels.

Discussions centred on ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries and agriculture sectors, determining Mediterranean fishing quotas for 2025, and addressing agricultural challenges through targeted assistance.

During her address, Bugeja Said underscored the need to recognise and reward the sacrifices made by Maltese and Gozitan fishers. She highlighted the daily struggles they face to secure their livelihoods, emphasising the government’s commitment to supporting them.

“We have implemented various measures to assist local fishers and will continue to introduce initiatives aimed at fostering a more sustainable sector,” she affirmed.

She also called for stricter enforcement in the Mediterranean to ensure all countries, particularly non-EU states, adhere to regulations. Furthermore, she advocated for additional scientific research to justify increasing fishing quotas.

“As a country, we are pressing for higher quotas because scientific evidence and data confirm that our current fishing practices are sustainable and do not harm fish populations, including popular species such as tuna and dolphinfish,” Bugeja Said explained.

On agriculture, Malta pushed for greater flexibility in CAP Strategic Plans and State Aid regulations, urging for funding not only during crises but also to proactively address climate-related challenges like droughts and floods.

#MaltaDaily