Barbie reveals first ever doll with hearing aids

May 21 2022

Barbie has been on a mission to release new collections of dolls which are more inclusive of all children. And their latest instalment features the first doll with hearing aids.

This comes after Mattel unveiled Barbie dolls with different body shapes back in 2016. Then, in 2020, Barbie dolls with vitiligo – a condition that affects skin pigmentation – were released.

Their Fashionista collection now introduces the hearing aid barbie doll, along with a vitiligo version of Ken, as well as another doll with a prosthetic leg. Mattel executive Vice President Lisa McKnight said that the collection aims to reflect the diversity kids see in the world around them.

The company even worked with an audiologist to accurately represent the behind-the-ear hearing aids. With over 175 dolls, they seek to give representation to all children no matter their life context.

#MaltaDaily

Lassana Cisse’s body to be returned home to Ivory Coast three years after shooting

May 20 2022

The body of Lassana Cisse will be returned to the Ivory Coast, three years after Lassana was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in Hal Far.

A government source told Times of Malta that he will be flown out inn the coming days.

42-year-old Lassana was fatally shot by two soldiers, Francesco Fenech & Lorin Scicluna, on his way home in Hal Far on 6 April 2019. The soldiers have been charged with the murder and are currently out on bail.

A memorial event for Lassana will be held as it is in its “final preparations”.

#MaltaDaily

Emma Muscat surpasses 1 million monthly Spotify listeners for the first time ever

May 20 2022

Hot off her recent appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Emma Muscat has announced that she has surpassed one million monthly listeners on Spotify for the first time in her career.

Muscat shared the news on a recent Instagram story, visibly surprised at major milestone. The 22-year-old singer launched her self-titled, 6-track EP ‘I Am Emma’ after her Eurovision Semi-Final 2 performance, where she failed to qualify for the final in Turin.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emma Muscat (@emmamuscat_official)

At the time of writing, the ‘I Am What I Am’ performer stands at around 1,023,000 monthly listeners with tracks like Meglio di Sera & Sangria both surpassing the 15 million listen mark.

Are you a fan of Emma Muscat?

Iceland UK offering discount for shoppers over 60 to cope with cost of living increase

May 20 2022

Global supermarket chain Iceland is offering a discount for shoppers over 60 in the United Kingdom to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living in the country.

The brand stated that they will offer customers over 60 a discount of 10% every Tuesday as prices continue to rise at the fastest rate in 40 years. Meanwhike, UK brands like Morrisons and Asda have reportedly losing customers to lower-cost brands like Lidl and Aldi, with the latter already cutting their prices in the face of such crisis.

A noted 5.9% increase in groceries is the biggest increase since December 2011, with raw material costs increasing due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The discount will come into effect as of 24 May, with anyone aged over 60 able to utilise it every Tuesday at Iceland or The Food Warehouse branches.

Should Maltese outlets do the same?

#MaltaDaily