Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546155
8 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 AUGUST 2026 NEWS Conservation, chromosomes and skincare: Science in the City launches pre festival events THE science shaping our planet, our cells, and even our bathroom counters is about to become a public playground. As Science in the City celebrates its 15th year of bridging arts and research, its pre-festival programme kicks off on 31st August till the 23rd Sep- tember with events exploring everything from genetics to en- vironmental conservation. This year's pre-festival events will be held mostly around the capital, Valletta, beginning with "Shark Conservation in Malta" (Ages 5+, Valletta De- sign Cluster, 7pm, 31st Au- gust). This workshop chats about shark conservation around Malta, with attendees able to check out exciting shark jaw and other specimens. Most importantly, they'll see how they can help save them—with- out sharks Malta's fisheries would collapse. For people curious about the molecular building blocks that make us, the event "Exploring the X Chromosome: DNA and Forensic Genetics" (Ages 10+, Valletta Design Cluster, 7pm, 10th September) is just for them. Attendees will witness a live DNA extraction demon- stration, followed by learning about modern DNA profiling techniques used in forensic ge- netics. Another event by Prohealth "Beyond Eczema: Empowering Better Living" (All ages, Vallet- ta Design Cluster, 10 am, 13th September), will guide partici- pants through healthy skincare routines and offer the chance to try a range of products. In- formative, practical, and suita- ble for all ages. The next event is for all star lovers, "Turn Off the Lights, Turn On the Sky" (Adults, Val- letta Design Cluster, 5 pm, 14th September) will make people rethink the way we light our nights and discover how small changes in your everyday life can help protect animals, birds and plants in Malta and Gozo, while bringing back our stars. The next event extracts power from plants. "From Photosyn- thesis to Power Grids: Har- nessing the Energy of Plants" (Adults, Argotti Garden, 10am & 6pm 23rd September) will showcase the Plant-e's unique and innovative technology which works with plants to generate power. Science is for everyone, and this September, Science in the City is putting that promise in- to practice. Science in the City is renewing its partnership with APS Bank to deliver an inclu- sive festival experience. From September 1st to 15th, the APS Hub in St. Julian's will trans- form into "Sensory Hub: Your Space, Your Pace"—a quiet, professionally guided environ- ment by specialists from Won- derKids and Panassea Therapy clinic, including sensory yoga and playful science-and-move- ment sessions, which offer re- laxed workshops designed for participants with neurodiver- gence and sensory sensitivities. "Our goal is simple: to make science and the arts accessible to every single person in Mal- ta," explains Festival Manager Karen Fiorini. "These dedicat- ed sessions mean that kids and adults with these unique needs don't just attend the festival— they get to actively participate and thrive in it. Apart from our activities at APS hub we will also be working with a multi- disciplinary team at TAASC to bring an interactive Senso- ry Hub to our Street festival around Triton square at the end of September", This year's pre-festival line up shows how science and arts can come together to question everyday assumptions, tackle pressing societal challenges, and inspire a more sustainable future ahead. Participants enjoying live DNA extraction demonstrations (Photo: Elisa Von Brockdorff) Accused remanded in custody, denies drug trafficking, money laundering charges A 30-year-old man was remanded in custody af- ter pleading not guilty to charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and re- cidivism. Serbian national Lazar Monojlovic was charged after a police investigation. The prosecution ex- plained that he was ob- served following a suspi- cious routine in which he woke up late, frequented betting shops in the after- noon, and frequented Pace- ville late at night. It was in Paceville that he was allegedly spotted hand- ing small items to people. A search on his home however, revealed a small amount of cannabis, small plastic bags, and a digital scale with trace amounts of cocaine. No substantial amount of illicit drugs or cash were found. He was given police bail while investigations con- tinued. The prosecution ex- plained that WhatsApp chats revealed small chats with a number of people seemingly ordering co- caine. It was these chats, along with the traces of cocaine found on the digital scale and small plastic packets that prompted the prosecu- tion to charge the accused. The court denied a re- quest for bail, as the ac- cused's assets were also frozen. Court hears the accused was observed frequenting a number of betting outlets and handing small items to people in Paceville MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt