Lando Norris Drives Fully Functional Lego Car

Sep 17 2024

Lando Norris is known for driving at blistering speeds of over 200mph in his McLaren Formula One car, but his latest drive maxed out at 40mph—an impressive feat considering the car was made entirely from LEGO.

This incredible build was a 1:1 replica of the McLaren P1 supercar, constructed from an astonishing 342,817 LEGO Technic pieces. The LEGO engineers also added eight motor packs consisting of 96 LEGO Power function motors, a total of 768, powered by a small EV battery that allowed the car to reach 40mph.

While key elements like the chassis, steering column, and wheels were borrowed from a standard McLaren P1, the rest of the car came from the LEGO Technic inventory, with only 11 specially designed parts. The build was no small feat—it took 23 specialists 8,344 hours to design and construct.

The result? A fully functional car that Lando Norris took around the 3.66-mile Silverstone circuit in England, where the LEGO vehicle completed the lap intact, showcasing the engineering marvel of the collaboration.

McLaren and LEGO have a strong partnership, with LEGO previously releasing models like a 1:18 scale of Ayrton Senna’s F1 car. LEGO continues to expand its partnerships, including a newly announced collaboration with Nike, set for release next year.

#MaltaDaily

102 Families Benefit From Fgura Regeneration Project

Sep 17 2024

Minister for Social and Affordable Housing, Roderick Galdes, inaugurated a regeneration project in the social housing area of Fgura.

This project, which saw an investment of approximately €820,000, focused on enhancing the facades of social housing blocks, improving common areas, and renovating rooftops.

The regeneration work covered 17 blocks within the Fgura social housing complex, benefiting 102 families.

Minister Galdes highlighted that the government is committed to investing in regeneration projects within community hubs to ensure that residents of social housing enjoy a cleaner and higher-quality living environment.

“This investment not only preserves government assets in the best possible way, allowing more beneficiaries to benefit, but also improves the quality of life for all residents in these areas,” the Minister stated.

He further emphasised that the Housing Authority is undertaking similar regeneration efforts across several localities in the country, “to ensure that a significant number of families can now enjoy a renewed environment that not only offers a fresh look but also positively impacts the daily lives of our residents.”

#MaltaDaily

Love Island’s Miriam Opens Up About Her Struggles With Self-Acceptance

Love Island Miriam Opens Up About Her Struggles With Self-Acceptance

Sep 17 2024

Miriam, known for her appearance on Love Island, recently shared a candid video detailing her challenges during her teenage years. In the video, she spoke openly about battling physical health issues and struggling with her mental well-being, a reality she felt compelled to keep hidden behind a mask for many years.

“Not more than a year ago, I started accepting that this is my story,” she said. “The pen is in my hands now, and I’m writing it the way I want.”

Miriam’s message focused on self-acceptance and the importance of taking control of one’s life narrative. She urged her followers to find courage, spend quality time with themselves, and engage in activities that foster self-love. By sharing her journey, she hopes to shed light on the realities of mental and physical health challenges, encouraging others to seek help before their struggles deepen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Muscat Miriam (@miriamxmuscat)

With this video, Miriam aims to use her platform to break the stigma around mental health and show that it’s okay to face hardships. Her story serves as a reminder that while life may have its unfair moments, there is strength in embracing one’s own journey and rewriting the narrative on one’s own terms.

#MaltaDaily

Glenn Micallef Handed Youth Portfolio By EU Commissioner

Sep 17 2024

Glenn Micallef, Malta’s nominee for the European Commission, has been appointed Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture, and Sport by Ursula von der Leyen.

At 35, Micallef is the youngest member of the proposed 27-member college and will focus on increasing youth involvement in EU policymaking.

Prime Minister Robert Abela quickly congratulated Micallef, calling it a “proud moment for Malta” as he takes on a role that significantly impacts youth, culture, and sports in Europe.

Culture Minister Owen Bonnici also expressed enthusiasm for future collaboration with Micallef.

Fantastic news to hear that Malta’s nominee for the EU Commission Glenn Micallef has been assigned Culture amongst other responsibilities in his portfolio.
Certainly looking forward to keep the excellent working relationship going for more culture in Europe’s future! pic.twitter.com/KPxX4Bq8b2

— •Owen Bonnici (@OwenBonnici) September 17, 2024

Although considered one of the smaller portfolios, the role carries substantial responsibility, with a budget exceeding €13 billion, encompassing key EU initiatives like Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, and Creative Europe.

Von der Leyen previously announced her intention to create a commissioner role centred on intergenerational fairness, stressing the importance of ensuring today’s decisions benefit future generations and foster solidarity across age groups. Micallef expressed his honour at being given the portfolio, describing it as deeply relevant to the daily lives of EU citizens.

Von der Leyen emphasised the importance of intergenerational fairness, entrusting Micallef with overseeing this vital issue.

Micallef’s appointment concludes weeks of negotiations, during which the EU Commission encouraged governments to nominate more women to ensure gender balance.

Malta, however, maintained its support for Micallef, who replaced the original nominee, Chris Fearne, after he withdrew due to legal issues. Micallef, an expert in EU policy, previously served as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Abela.

In response to questions about pressure on member states to alter their nominations, von der Leyen dismissed such claims, stating that many countries had unrealistic expectations for their nominees to receive top economic portfolios.

#MaltaDaily