Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524836
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 AUGUST 2024 5 ALMANAC Nature Notebook 930. Mermaid's Cup OF the hundreds of kinds of algae that grow in the shallow waters around our shores, few are more elegant than the mermaid's cup: a minuscule, pale-lime saucer suspended on a flimsy stalk. Easy to overlook when growing singly, but a spread of a few thousand jos- tling one speaks of cells we think of those minute specks of matter for which you need a microscope to see. At about 2cm tall, the mer- maid's cup is visible enough, yet the whole thing is actually a single cell. Not so small now, is it! Many fish and molluscs nibble on mer- maid's cup but this alga's nemesis is not fish: it's pollution, which it cannot tolerate. So here's hoping you see lots of it wherever you go swimming. Call for contributions – Contribute to our collaborative zine 'Imagining a Fossil Free Malta' Call for contributions – Contribute to our collaborative zine 'Imagining a Fossil Free Malta' Amidst news about heat waves, extreme weather events and climate chaos, it is easy to despair. However, there is nothing as powerful as col- lective action to show we are not alone and that solutions for a brighter future exist. Friends of the Earth Malta is bringing together hopeful visions for Mal- ta's future in a zine 'Imagining a Fossil Free Malta' to share inspiration and calls to action. The zine will be designed by a graphic designer and printed on high-quality paper in colour. We welcome art, photography, essays, poetry, collages or other forms of artistic and academic expression, responding to the question: How do you imagine a fossil-free Malta? Victor Falzon, Desirée Falzon (Photo) www.birdlifemalta.org Green idea of the week 797 Read all the requirements & apply here: www.foemalta.org/blog/contribute_to_zine 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 Freddie - The Show Must Go On 16, 17, 18 August Place: Teatru Rjal, Freddie - The Show Must Go On, the most realistic and spectacular tribute show dedicated to Freddie Mercury. After the amazing Sold-Outs the unmissable tour continues... Musicians, extraordinary performers, dancers, lights and special effects for a show within a show. Give nature a voice. Become a BirdLife member Opera in the Capital 30 August Place: Misrah San Gorg Opera in the Capital returns for its fourth edition, promising an evening filled with world-renowned arias. This year's event features exceptional performances by tenors Alan Sciberras and Cliff Zammit Stevens, along with soprano Nadia Vella. They will be accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in St. George's Square, Valletta, on 30th August 2024 A GOOD WEEK Good Week/Bad Week A BAD WEEK Marvel's Deadpool & Wolverine has had an impressive opening weekend in the US – becoming the eighth-biggest opening ever, and best of the year so far. The third Deadpool film – starring Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine - made $205m (£160m) at its domestic box office, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Television presenter Laura Whitmore has alleged she was subjected to "inappropriate behaviour" while on Strictly Come Dancing. The former Love Island host was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, and was the seventh celebrity eliminated. It also made it the best ever opening for an R-rated film – smashing the $134m record set by the first Deadpool in 2016. The film also opened to $233m (£182m) internationally. Whitmore, who had an ankle injury during the show, says she "raised concerns" at the time.