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1st Ever Diwali Barbie Released Ahead of Festival

1st Ever Diwali Barbie Released Ahead of Festival
Oct 9 2024 Share

Mattel has released a new Barbie doll to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, which takes place this year from October 31 to November 1.

The Diwali Barbie was created in collaboration with Indian designer Anita Dongre and features traditional Indian attire, including a cropped top (choli), a floral vest (koti), and an ankle-length skirt (lehenga).

 

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The lehenga is adorned with flowers like dahlias, jasmine, and Indian lotus, symbolising strength and beauty. The doll also wears gold bangles and earrings, reflecting the festival’s radiant lights.

Anita Dongre expressed her excitement about the collaboration, encouraging fans worldwide to celebrate Indian fashion and culture through this special edition Barbie. She aimed to blend modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship in the doll’s design.

Diwali Barbie is part of Mattel’s Festival of the World series, which has also featured dolls for Cinco de Mayo and Chinese New Year.

Diwali, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs globally, is a five-day festival that varies each year. It symbolises the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, with each religion marking different historical events and stories.

#MaltaDaily

Party Leaders Pay Tribute To Late Karl Gouder

Party Leaders Pay Tribute To Late Karl Gouder
Oct 9 2024 Share

Bernard Grech and Robert Abela paid tribute to former MP Karl Gouder in a special parliamentary session, emphasising his kindness, integrity, and commitment to unity.

Grech, leader of the PN, expressed how deeply Gouder’s death affected him, comparing the loss to the deaths of his own parents. He highlighted Gouder’s crucial role in organising the PN’s 2024 MEP election campaign, calling him its “backbone.”

Grech praised Gouder’s dedication to helping others, noting how many people shared messages of support and encouragement from him after his passing.

He described Gouder as someone who brought people together without compromising his values, embodying the Jesuit principle of being “a man for others.”

Prime Minister Robert Abela, who knew Gouder since their school days at St Aloysius College, recalled his joyful spirit and respectful nature in parliamentary debates.

Abela noted how Gouder maintained the same kindness throughout his life, never resorting to personal attacks and remaining a model of honesty. Both leaders urged MPs to follow Gouder’s example of compassion and service to others.

The tribute session honoured Gouder’s legacy, with his family present, and parliament distributed his first parliamentary speech, showcasing his dedication to truth and learning.

#MaltaDaily

Norma Saliba New Labour Party Spokesperson

Norma Saliba New Labour Party Spokesperson
Oct 8 2024 Share

The Labour Party has appointed Norma Saliba as the Head of Communication and Spokesperson.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Mediterranean Contemporary Studies and a Master’s in European Studies, Saliba brings over 25 years of media experience as a journalist, presenter, and producer for both national and private channels.

She has also held public relations roles in the President’s Office and MEUSAC and served as the first Executive Head of the Maltese Language Centre in 2023.

Meanwhile, Dr. Maris Camilleri has been appointed as the Executive Head of the Maltese Language Centre by Minister Owen Bonnici. Currently a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Essex, Dr. Camilleri has previously lectured in various institutions, including Queen Mary University and the University of Malta.

She has conducted linguistic research in England, Austria, and Malta and has provided consultancy services to the Maltese Language Centre since early 2024.

Dr. Camilleri will succeed Ms. Saliba, who has resigned. The Ministry expresses gratitude for Ms. Saliba’s significant contributions to establishing the Centre and promoting the Maltese language, particularly among children and public administration.

#MaltaDaily

Protected Bird Found Shot Near School In Rabat

Protected Bird Found Shot Near School In Rabat
Oct 8 2024 Share

On the afternoon of Monday, October 7, 2024, a teacher at the Archbishop’s Seminary in Rabat, Malta, made a disturbing discovery.

After hearing rustling in the bushes, he found an injured European Honey-buzzard that had been shot. Unable to get help from the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU), he reached out to BirdLife Malta, who quickly dispatched a team to rescue the bird and arrange veterinary care.

This incident is the 22nd shot bird BirdLife Malta has recovered since September 1, with 12 of them being birds of prey.

Species affected include the Eurasian Hobby, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel, and Eleonora’s Falcon, as well as seven European Honey-buzzards in just the last two weeks. Other targeted birds include the Common Greenshank, Night-heron, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Common Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, and European Turtle-dove.

BirdLife Malta warns that birds of prey are particularly vulnerable as they roost in trees, making them easy targets for hunters.

The ongoing hunting season, during peak autumn migration, has also endangered wildlife and put children at risk near schools, BirdLife Malta stated.

BirdLife Malta is advocating for a 200-meter buffer zone around schools to be designated as bird sanctuaries to curb illegal hunting in these areas.

#MaltaDaily