Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506016
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 AUGUST 2023 7 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 880. Sea Samphire THE sea samphire (M. bużbież il-baħar) is a common coastal shrub, growing even at popular beaches such as Ir-Ramla tal-Mixquqa (aka Golden Bay) where it grows thickly on the sandy or stony slopes. Like other species in the carrot family, the sea samphire's flowers grow in large disc- or ball-shaped flowerheads. The sea samphire's flowers are a pale greenish yellow and they must smell very nice as many insects drop in for a nectar hit; and it's flowering profusely at this time. The sea samphire's forte is its ability to survive regular bash- ings of sea spray, sandblasting winds that would corrode the most robust metalware, scorching summer sun and blistering hot sand. You must hand it to these plants: compared with them we humans are a bunch of wimps. Move over, Bear Grylls. Save Bees & Farmers We are 1,1 million European citizens, demanding an end to pesti- cides. Now is the chance for the EU to deliver! Your support in the coming months is essential. We want an environmentally-friendly agriculture for sustainable production of healthy food. We ask for support for farmers to work with nature. Two legal proposals in the EU support pesticide reduction and the restoration of nature. These proposals are under heavy attack by politicians who put the interests of the chemical industry above the interests of citizens, farmers, health and biodiversity. Our demands are simple: 1. A phase-out of the use of synthetic pesticides 2. Measures to recover biodiversity 3. Support for farmers Victor Falzon, Aron Tanti www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 766: We encourage you to change the subject and email text! https://foemalta.org/ our-campaigns/food-agriculture-biodiversity/beecause/petition/ Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation – www.foemalta.org/donate Don't miss this ENERGYNEXT 12 September Place: Corinthia St George's Bay Ready to power the future? Join us at the ENERGYNEXT, where innovation meets sustainability! Discover cutting-edge technology propelling us towards greener energy solutions. Don't miss your chance to shape the energy landscape! Secure your spot today and ignite change. Empower Tomorrow, Today! Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Love in the City Soirée 12 September Place: Gracy's Arts & Supper Club Make the EuroPride 2023 experience even more amazing by sharing it with someone you have a spark with. The Love in the City Soirée event could be the BEST place to START this experience. A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Madonna has announced rescheduled tour dates for her world tour, as she marks her recovery from a bacterial infection that left her in intensive care. The Celebration tour will now kick off in London on 14 October, three months after it was originally due to begin in Vancouver, Canada. The Killers have apologised after frontman Brandon Flowers invited a Russian fan on stage during a concert in Georgia to play drums on a song. He told the crowd to treat the Russian fan as their "brother", drawing boos and walk-outs from parts of the arena. Most of the US dates have been pushed back to 2024, with some cancellations. Georgia, which gained independence in 1991, has a long history of tension with its neighbour