Over 800,000 Passengers Through Malta Airport In September

Oct 12 2023

In September, Malta International Airport marked its third consecutive month with over 800,000 passengers. The total passenger movements for the month reached 812,176, showing a 6.5% increase from 2019.

This growth was supported by a 3.0% rise in seat capacity compared to 2019. Despite this, the monthly seat load factor (SLF) remained robust at 89.2%, indicating sustained travel demand.

The top five markets followed familiar patterns, with Italy leading, trailed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain. Together, these markets represented 66% of September’s total traffic.

Italy and France experienced substantial growth of 48.7% and 46.4% respectively compared to 2019. However, the United Kingdom (-19.1%) and Germany (-23.8%) faced declines, while Spain saw a marginal drop of 0.1%.

As October marks the final month of summer for the aviation industry, Malta International Airport has unveiled its winter flight schedule. The schedule includes direct flights to 30 different markets. Additionally, already-popular routes like Vienna, Marseille, Edinburgh, Warsaw, and Zagreb will see increased flight frequencies.

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5 Robberies In Gozo In One Night, Alex Borg Alleges

Oct 11 2023

Taking to social media, Nationalist MP Alex Borg reported that 5 robberies had taken place throughout one night in Gozo.

As of yet, no more details have been provided as to what the robberies targeted, where they took place and when.

MaltaDaily has reached out to the police for further comments on the reports.

The MP has been repeatedly calling for more police enforcement as well as the boosting of Gozo’s police resources following a string of incidents and crimes.

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Malta Could Soon Have 16 Or 17 Year Old Mayors

Oct 11 2023

The Maltese government has introduced a bill to allow 16 and 17-year-old local councillors to become mayors or deputy mayors, amending current legislation.

Currently, though they can vote and run for council elections, they are ineligible for these positions, even if they receive the highest votes. The bill, if approved, would permit councillors under 18 who win the most votes from the majority party to assume these roles.

Additionally, it allows mayors under 18 to sign legal documents on behalf of the council. It also proposes joint responsibility between the mayor and executive secretary in legal matters. Malta’s next local council elections are scheduled for June 2024.

This move would make Malta the first EU country to allow 16-year-olds to be elected as mayors. The initiative was part of the PL’s electoral promise and the government’s ‘National Strategic Vision for Local Governments’ document published earlier.

Minister Owen Bonnici emphasized the significance of these amendments, highlighting their historic nature in empowering youth in society. Parliamentary Secretary Zerafa Civelli announced plans for mentor programs to ensure young councillors understand their duties.

The Nationalist Party also proposed a similar initiative last year. In 2019, underage councillors Carlos Zarb, Abraham Aquilina, and Ilona Fenech were elected.

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University Of Exeter To Offer Master’s In Magic & The Occult

UK UNIVERSITY TO OFFER MASTER’S DEGREE IN MAGIC & THE OCCULT

Oct 11 2023

No, you won’t be learning how to cast spells (unfortunately).

The University of Exeter is launching the UK’s first postgraduate degree program in magic and the occult, commencing in September 2024.

This multidisciplinary course will explore the global history and influence of witchcraft and magic on society and science, incorporating disciplines like history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, sociology, psychology, drama, and religion.

Led by Professor Emily Selove, the program addresses the recent surge of interest in magic and the occult. Selove emphasizes its relevance to contemporary societal issues such as decolonization, feminism, and anti-racism, countering the notion that these topics are obsolete.

Selove argues that practices like wearing lucky jewelry, touching wood, or adhering to superstitions are indicative of magic’s presence in everyday life. The growing popularity of folklore, witchcraft, tarot, and crystals is seen as a response to the decline of organized religion, evident in the rise of paganism, wiccanism, and shamanism in the 2022 census.

The course challenges the assumption that the west is solely rationalistic and scientific, while the rest of the world is entrenched in magic and superstition. It seeks to reexamine how these beliefs shape western culture and provide fresh perspectives on climate change.

The program aims to rectify the historical neglect of magic and occult studies, acknowledging their systematic oversight in scholarship. It has garnered significant interest since its announcement, receiving over 100 inquiries.

Students will have the opportunity to engage with both conventional and alternative academic methodologies, even presenting their dissertations through performance work. The course promises to equip students with valuable skills, including creative and analytical thinking, curiosity, and a dedication to lifelong learning. Modules cover a diverse range of topics, from dragons in western literature to the philosophy of psychedelics.

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