Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/181770
41 maltatoday, THIS WEEK SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2013 Maltese theatre from an actor's viewpoint OCTOBER 7 marks the start of the second series of Mid-Dinja tatTeatru at Teatru Manoel. From now till the end of the performance season (May 2014) there are seven events during which protagonists Marylu Coppini from Maltese theatre share their ideas, experiences and memories on the Teatru Manoel stage. Through these interviews, audiences gain a historical perspective of Maltese theatre from different aspects of stage production. In the first interview – to be held on Monday, October 7 at 20:00 – Immanuel Mifsud interviews Malcolm Galea and Marylu Coppini. Mid-Dinja tat-Teatru is a joint collaboration between Teatru Manoel and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. Malcolm Galea Entrance is free and the event takes place on the Manoel Theatre's stage; an opportunity to view the auditorium from an actor's viewpoint Glyphosate – Environmental concerns 371. MONTAGU'S HARRIER One of the many kinds of birds of prey that migrate over Malta at this time of the year is the Montagu's Harrier. Though spotted by birdwatchers every year, it is nowhere as common as the closely related Marsh Harrier. For convenience, birders often group birds of prey into two: the so-called 'broadwings', and the falcons. On account of its wide wings, the Montagu's Harrier (Baghdan Griz) belongs to the broadwing cohort, along with buzzards, eagles and vultures. These wide wing help the bird ride warm air currents rising from the ground known as thermals - and to soar to great heights with hardly a flap of the wings. This trick is especially useful when the birds are migrating, because once up there, they can glide away effortlessly onto the next leg of their journey. Have you signed the REFERENDUM PETITION to BAN SPRING HUNTING ? Please write to cashmalta2013@gmail.com. Thanks. Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tanti Because glyphosate is designed to kill plants, it can have a detrimental effect on wildlife, reducing farmland biodiversity and destroying food supplies for birds and insects. Trials in the UK looking at the impact of GMherbicide resistant crops on biodiversity found that crops treated with glyphosate herbicides were likely to have an adverse impact on farmland birds. As well as directly affecting plants, glyphosate has been found to leach out of soils into rivers, streams and groundwater. Water contamination poses a threat to aquatic life and there is evidence from studies in North America that herbicides containing glyphosate may be toxic to frogs and toads. This is of particular concern as one in three species of amphibian is threatened with extinction. Liver cells in carp have been found to be damaged by exposure to glyphosate herbicides. Glyphosate also affects soil chemistry. While in some soils, glyphosate binds to soil particles, making it inert, in some soil types it remains active and is broken down by soil microbes, affecting the biological and chemical processes around plant roots, including the ability of the plant to fix nitrogen, resulting in the need for increased levels of nitrate fertilisers. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us www.foemalta.org. You can also support us by sending a blank SMS donation on 50618070 (€4.66) or 50619223 (€11.65). GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 273 Green Idea of the week 273: Soothe coughs naturally – For a cheaper and natural alternative to shop-bought cough medicine, soothe sore throats with an infusion of organic honey and lemon in hot water. The honey will relieve irritation and has valuable antimicrobial properties