Twilight Could Be Getting A Reboot With Jenna Ortega

Nov 27 2023

The director of the original “Twilight” film, Catherine Hardwicke, recently discussed her hypothetical casting choices for Edward and Bella if the franchise were produced in the 2020s.

Reflecting on the iconic roles played by Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, Hardwicke suggested that Jacob Elordi would be a perfect fit for the role of Edward Cullen in today’s context. Speaking on the “Happy, Sad, Confused” podcast with Josh Horowitz, she praised Elordi’s talent, stating that he could embody the character of Edward exceptionally well.

Hardwicke also considered Jenna Ortega as a suitable candidate for the role of Bella Swan, citing Ortega’s successful performances in projects like “Wednesday” and “Scream.” However, the director acknowledged uncertainties regarding whether Elordi would be willing to engage in a franchise of the magnitude of “Twilight.”

Elordi, known for his breakthrough in “The Kissing Booth,” expressed dissatisfaction with the experience, labeling the films as ‘ridiculous’ and emphasizing his commitment to avoiding the Hollywood pattern of doing films solely for commercial appeal.

Reflecting on his time as Edward, Robert Pattinson, in a 2019 interview with USA Today, noted the intense fan fervor during the franchise’s peak and how it has since subsided.

He appreciated the current, more relaxed interactions with fans who fondly recall the series, describing it as a shift from the earlier, overwhelming intensity. Pattinson highlighted the warmth of memories associated with the “Twilight” era, portraying a contrast to the initial overwhelming mania.

#MaltaDaily

Feminist Activists Hold Protest March In Valletta

Nov 27 2023

Activists, allies, and members of the general public walked through Valletta in a protest march organised by Moviment Graffitti, Young Progressive Beings (YPB), and MGRM. At the end, a powerful performance showcasing the poignant examples of violence was held in front of Parliament.

The protest march aimed to raise awareness of the pervasive culture of violence against women and girls, trans and non-binary people in our society.

The 25th of November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year’s focus revolved around the theme of “Resisting the Culture of Violence”. Coined in the 1970s, the concept of a ‘culture of violence’ was forged to explain the normalisation of violence against women in all its forms: from physical and sexual to economic and psychological.

The grim reality persists nowadays—violence against women, trans, and non-binary individuals thrives within our society, disguised beneath the veneer of ‘jokes’ or ‘compliments’. From unwanted sexual attention to cyber harassment, from objectifying comments to stalking and more, these forms of violence infiltrate daily life, perpetuated by societal attitudes that excuse, dismiss, or worse, encourage such behaviours.

Never was this clearer than on Wednesday, when we remembered and honoured Bernice Cilia, who last year was murdered in cold blood, a victim of femicide. Our anger and disappointment at the culture and system which allowed her death to happen is still as present as ever. Even today, there are still well over 2,200 other domestic violence cases which are pending. What are we waiting for?

Resisting the culture of violence demands collective action, rejecting the notion that anyone should endure mistreatment or objectification based on gender. We need to unveil and continue to challenge the societal fabric that allows these injustices to persist.

#MaltaDaily

Motorcyclist Grievously Injured After Parking Accident

Nov 27 2023

Yesterday, at around 0815hrs, police were informed of an accident in a private establishment parking in Triq l-Iljun, Ħal-Qormi.

Police convened immediately on site and preliminary investigations showed that a crash had taken place between a Keeway Cityblade motorcycle driven by a 26 year old man resident of Ħaż-Żebbuġ and a Toyota Pass driven by a 79 year old man resident of Imsida.

The motorcyclist was given immediate medical attention and taken to Mater Dei Hospital, where he was certified as having suffered grievous injuries.

Police are continuing their investigations.

#MaltaDaily

Dogs Sometimes Stay Awake At Night Worrying About Problems

Nov 27 2023

You got 99 problems… and apparently your dog has one too.

New research conducted by Hungarian scientists reveals that our beloved canine companions may experience disrupted sleep after a day filled with anxiety.

The study monitored the sleep patterns of pet dogs following both positive experiences, such as receiving affection from their owners and engaging in playful activities, and negative experiences, like being separated from their owner or facing a threatening encounter with a stranger.

Predictably, the dogs’ individual personalities influenced their responses, with more playful dogs exhibiting lower stress levels when approached by strangers compared to their more reserved counterparts.

Overall, dogs exposed to stressful situations exhibited poorer sleep quality, spending more time in REM sleep characterised by heightened heart rates and experiencing quicker awakenings. The study, published in October 2017 in The Royal Society scientific journal, highlighted a fascinating paradox: anxious dogs fell asleep faster than their more relaxed counterparts.

The researchers attributed this phenomenon to stress-induced quiescence, a protective sleep response triggered by stressors, akin to a human immune response during illness.

In light of these findings, it becomes even more crucial to bid a comforting goodnight to our furry friends, potentially contributing to a more restful night’s sleep for them.

#MaltaDaily