The first Harry Potter film is 20 years old this week!

Nov 16 2021

‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ was released in cinemas all around the US today on the 16th of November 2001. It’s been two decades, with the fandom cultivating film releasing to a UK audience on the 10th of November. The books were already well on their way by then and many had already gotten a taste of Hogwarts.

But the release of the movie version saw millions of wizardry fans rushing to the cinema to see their heroes Harry, Ron and Hermione on the big screen. This mirrored queues outside bookstores donning robes as they eagerly awaited J.K. Rowling’s latest release.

The film sprouted an entire saga of sequels, with lovers of the fictional world massively invested in the magic. The first movie made a brilliant introduction to the engrossing world crafted by Rowling. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint brought the trio to life with spectacular character, going on to lead the franchise and even breaking the record at the time for the highest opening weekend in movie history.

It was a simple introduction to the story. Despite the later films feeling like a more refined and polished narrative, the first film remains one of the classics for all Hogwarts fans.

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Harry Styles announces beauty brand ‘Pleasing’ and fans can’t handle it

Nov 16 2021

The internet has exploded with Harry Styles fans expressing their joy at their favourite artist announcing the launch of his beauty brand. The musician, actor and now beauty brand owner is known for his very playful style and his new company, Pleasing, is setting that same exact vibe.

Styles spoke enthusiastically about the new beauty brand in an interview with Dazed, coming out with a glamorous photoshoot to accompany the reveal. Fans were particularly impressed by how well the artist managed to juggle his immense workload and still release such an artistic brand.

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Harry Styles also opened up about how he wasn’t always the bold, unapologetic artist he now is. Growing up however, he came to overcome his fear of people judging his work, instead putting his mind to anything he wishes to achieve. A release date for the products hasn’t yet been announced, but the first to launch are the ‘Pearlescent Illuminating’ serum, ‘Pleasing Pen Matte’ lip oil and ‘Perfect Pearl’ nail polish.

He also went on to say that the core of the brand is ‘community’ and ‘collaborating’. He also brought to mind over-saturation and the environmental impacts of releasing new products. He said that the products are mindfully and sustainably made. ‘I really think that the essence of Pleasing is finding those little moments of joy and showing them to people’.

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New breast cancer medicine to be introduced by government

Nov 16 2021

The Ministry of Health announced that it has begun the process to acquire a new treatment for cancer immediately after certification.

Pembrolizumab, which is used for negative triple type breast cancer, was certified by the European Medicines Authority (EMA) on the 19th of October.

The Ministry for Health issued a statement saying that since 2017, around 17 new cancer medicines have been given free of charge in the Government formulary. Around 500 patients benefitted from this medicine per year.

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Ten inmates on hunger strike due to prison director Alex Dalli suspension

Nov 16 2021

Ten inmates at the Corradino Correctional Facility are undergoing a hunger strike in support of the now self suspended prison director Alex Dalli. The former director resigned from his post following another inmate suicide – the third this year alone. A spokesperson for the Home Affairs Ministry spoke with Times of Malta, revealing that 10 prisoners are on a strike which started on Sunday.

All participants are being closely monitored by a medical team as per protocol. The prisoners confirmed their strike as being in reaction to the suspension, saying that they disapproved. Conversely, inmates from four different divisions are refusing to sign a petition in support of Dalli. MaltaToday confirmed that inmates from divisions 4, 5, 13 and 17 refused to sign the petition. Other hardened inmates are believed to be supporting Dalli’s reinstatement.

Prison sources confirmed to MaltaToday that two petitions are being circulated around in prison – one for inmates and another for guards. The Home Affairs ministry also refused to condemn the dissemination of the petition. Dalli’s reputation is a mixed bag, with some praising him for weeding out drugs out of the prison and others criticising his unorthodox discipline methods. A total of 14 prisoners died in the last three years whilst serving time in Malta’s prison. In Dalli’s stead, former Detention Services Unit head Robert Brincau was appointed acting director.

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