Famous Italian Car Designer Paolo Pininfarina Dies At 65

Apr 10 2024

Paolo Pininfarina, known primarily for automotive design within the iconic Pininfarina brand, was also a versatile industrial designer, adept in fields ranging from furniture to architecture, and even nautical and aeronautical design.

Unlike his more energetic brother, Paolo possessed a quieter, reflective demeanor, drawing parallels with his father Sergio’s calm disposition.

Following the challenging aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, Paolo found solace in his inherited sense of tranquility, which he believed helped navigate difficult times. He took pride in expanding his knowledge beyond automobiles, diversifying Pininfarina’s offerings.

In recent times, Pininfarina S.p.A expanded its scope with Automobili Pininfarina, introducing innovative projects like the Battista electric hypercar, named in homage to his grandfather.

During a 2018 preview of the Battista, Paolo emphasized the importance of timing, talent, and commitment in achieving extraordinary success.

Paolo Pininfarina was instrumental in upholding the family legacy and ensuring the brand’s continued success. The passing of this visionary figure is mourned, and condolences are extended to his family.

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Various Localities Reporting Standstill Traffic Jams

Apr 10 2024

According to various reports, many localities across Malta are experiencing deadlock traffic jams.

As reported by Malta Roads Traffic Updates, traffic delays are being reported in Paola all the way to Marsa flyovers and St Lucija.

‘Standstill traffic is being reported coming from Ghajn Dwieli tunnel, Zabbar road Fgura direction Marsa.

Reminder that today is Eid Mubarak, therefore the Mosque area will be much busier than normal. Drive Carefully.’

Meanwhile, traffic in Regional Road is also being reported due to road closure.

Did you get stuck in traffic?

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Pop Sculptcha Event To Kick Off At Esplora

Apr 10 2024

At the Science Interactive Centre, Esplora, the event “Pop Sculptcha” was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Research, and Innovation Keith Azzopardi and Esplora’s CEO Olaf McKay. This event, taking place between April 13th and 14th at Esplora, will allow visitors to experience the world of pop culture, featuring various superheroes including Superman, Ironman, and other comic book icons. Throughout these days, visitors can participate in various activities, including talks by renowned artists, exhibitions at the Esplora Planetarium, displays of pop culture statues, and a cosplay competition, among other activities.

Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi explained that this event is organized through collaboration with the Malta Statue Collectors association, aiming to expand Esplora’s range of attractions for visitors of all ages. He emphasized the commitment to continue supporting and collaborating to offer more activities of this kind.

Esplora CEO Olaf McKay highlighted that sculpture will be an integral part of this event, featuring statues related to popular culture. The event will showcase characters commonly seen in comics, movies, or on television, providing insights into internationally recognized protagonists.

Malta Statue Collectors Secretary Kluivert Bonello described “Pop Sculptcha” not only as a family-friendly event but also as a showcase for Maltese collectors, incorporating new technologies like 3D printing. Attendees can admire statues from top European collections and appreciate the talents of local cosplayers as well as those from abroad.

Over 600,000 Passengers Through Malta Airport In March 2024

Apr 10 2024

In March, Malta International Airport achieved a historic milestone, surpassing 600,000 passenger movements for the first time with a total of 633,826 passengers welcomed.

This marked a significant 30.1% increase compared to March 2023. The first quarter of 2024 closed with a total of 1,573,712 passenger movements, reflecting strong growth.

The peak in passenger volumes occurred towards the end of the month, particularly on March 28th, with 27,250 passengers passing through the airport. This surge coincided with Maundy Thursday and the start of P&O Cruises’ Cruise and Fly services, extending operations until October.

The positive traffic performance was supported by a 24.6% increase in seat capacity to and from Malta compared to last year, achieving an impressive seat load factor of 87.2%, the highest recorded for March.

Aircraft movements also rose by 20.5% year-on-year to a total of 4,031 take-offs and landings in March.

Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany remained the top three markets, collectively holding over 50% market share.

Poland experienced the most substantial growth, up by 80.6% over 2023, securing the fourth position.

The month also marked the transition from Air Malta to KM Malta Airlines after 50 years of service. Air Malta’s final flight arrived on March 31st, followed by the inaugural KM Malta Airlines departure. Additionally, Universal Air commenced operations from Malta International Airport towards the end of March, further enhancing the airport’s connectivity.

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