‘Swifties’ Dance So Hard They Set Off Earthquake Monitors

Jun 14 2024

Fans at Taylor Swift’s concerts in Scotland last weekend danced so vigorously that they triggered earthquake monitors, as reported by the British Geological Survey (BGS).

Seismic activity was detected up to six kilometres away during her performances at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The activity peaked during her song “…Ready For It?” on all three nights, generating enough energy to charge 6,000 car batteries, equivalent to 80 kilowatts.

BGS seismologist Callum Harrison noted, “Clearly Scotland’s reputation for providing some of the most enthusiastic audiences remains intact!” Other hits like “Cruel Summer,” “Champagne Problems,” and “Shake It Off” also caused significant seismic spikes.

Friday’s show was particularly notable, potentially the most attended concert in Scottish history, with Swift calling it the “wildest way to welcome a lass to your city.”

The concerts, part of Swift’s 15 UK shows, are projected to inject nearly £1 billion into the UK economy. Following her performances in Scotland, Swift will continue her tour in Liverpool, Cardiff, and conclude with eight shows at London’s Wembley Stadium later this month and in August.

Despite the noticeable seismic activity, the vibrations were unlikely to be felt beyond the immediate vicinity of the stadium.

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Uniformed Officers To Patrol MCAST Campuses

Jun 14 2024

MCAST has launched a new initiative to enhance safety and security on its campuses by partnering with the Malta Police Force. Under this plan, uniformed police officers will patrol the Paola, Qormi, and Mosta sites for several hours each week, starting next week and resuming in October 2024.

The college emphasized that “the presence of police officers on-site will serve to enhance safety on our campus for the students and the MCAST staff community.” Officers will have the authority to conduct searches on students and their belongings if there is reasonable suspicion of prohibited or stolen items.

To facilitate these searches, each institute will provide enclosed and private areas. This proactive approach aims to prevent incidents and ensure a secure environment, reflecting MCAST’s commitment to the well-being of its community. The college believes that this measure will “significantly contribute to the prevention of any unpleasant incidents and ensure peace of mind for all employees and students.”

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Wholesome Local Election Roundup

Jun 14 2024

As the counting of the local council elections continues, more and more wholesome moments are being highlighted all over Malta.

To start off, Rohasia Zammit and Mario Fenech from Birżebbuġa and Iklin respectively were elected together to represent the people of their localities.

Meanwhile, Birgu mayor John Boxall’s son Karl was elected mayor of Għaxaq on behalf of the Labour Party. This could see a father and son becoming mayor as we await the counting of Biru’s votes, where the father has served as mayor for 30 years.

Meanwhile, PN’s Kyle Mifsud was elected for the Żurrieq local council – but also became a father to twins just hours later as his election was announced.

Jordan Galea Pace’s grandmother Vivienne Galea Pace was also elected into the Sliema council, extending the political activism Jordan is known for.

This just scratches the surface of other wholesome election news, including the election of mother and son Steve and Lillibeth Żammit Lupi.

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Photo Source (Boxall): Newsbook

1 In 7 Maltese Have Streamed Sports Illegally

Jun 13 2024

A recent EU Intellectual Property Office study revealed that over 13% of Maltese citizens streamed sports matches illegally in the past year, slightly above the EU average of 12%.

This placed Malta eleventh among 27 EU countries, with Bulgaria, Greece, and Spain topping the list. Notably, 28% of young Maltese (aged 15-24) admitted to illegal streaming, mirroring a broader EU trend.

In contrast, only 4% of Maltese reported knowingly purchasing fake sports gear, the lowest in the EU and significantly below the 10% EU average. The study estimated that Malta loses around half a million euros annually to counterfeit sports goods, constituting over 12% of sales in this sector.

The EUIPO emphasized that illegal streaming poses a significant threat to sports financing, especially with the UEFA European Championship approaching, which generated nearly €1.9 billion in 2020.

Additionally, digital piracy in the EU increased by 3% in 2022, reversing a previous downward trend. TV shows were the most pirated content, but illegal sports streaming surged by nearly a third between 2021 and 2022.

Europol’s ‘Operation Fake Star’ in 2022 seized over 1,800 fake luxury items at Maltese borders, part of a broader crackdown across the EU resulting in over 250 arrests. The IP Perception Study 2023 surveyed nearly 26,000 people, including over 500 Maltese.

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Source: European Union Intellectual Property Office