Belgian Show Jumper Fakes Maltese Passport To Compete In Olympics

Feb 8 2025

Belgian show jumper Michelle Dejonghe has been fined CHF 6,000 (€6,400) and suspended for three years after forging Maltese documents in an apparent attempt to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In early 2023, Dejonghe applied to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) to change her nationality from Belgian to Maltese, supplying the Malta Equestrian Federation (MEF) with forged copies of a Maltese passport, driving licence, and residence certificate. The MEF signed off on the request.

However, in May, Belgian police flagged a falsified letter to the FEI, allegedly confirming Dejonghe’s Olympic application. The FEI confirmed it had not issued such a document, prompting an investigation. Maltese authorities later verified that the submitted passport and driving licence were fake.

The FEI tribunal found Dejonghe had “wilfully and deliberately misled” officials, calling her actions a “serious breach” of regulations. She was also ordered to pay CHF 1,500 in legal costs and banned from attending any FEI events, even as a spectator.

The MEF, which said it had been “conned,” vowed to strengthen its document verification process following the incident. Meanwhile, Maltese Olympic officials confirmed that any athlete must be endorsed by the Malta Olympic Committee to compete at the Games.

#MaltaDaily

Villa Corinthia’s Francesco Mazzei Joins Stanley Tucci to Cook for King Charles & Queen Camilla

Feb 8 2025

Villa Corinthia’s resident celebrity chef, Francesco Mazzei, has once again taken center stage in the culinary world, this time collaborating with Hollywood actor and food enthusiast Stanley Tucci for a prestigious black-tie dinner at Highgrove. The event, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla on Friday evening, was a grand celebration of Italian cuisine and culture, marking the confirmation of the Royal couple’s state visit to Italy and the Vatican later this year.

Joining the King and Queen for the evening were an A-list roster of guests, including David and Victoria Beckham, Donatella Versace, Dame Helen Mirren, and former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful. Also in attendance were the Italian ambassador to the UK, Inigo Lambertini, chefs Raymond Blanc and Angela Hartnett, as well as businessman and TV personality Patrick Grant.

Mazzei, a champion of authentic Italian cuisine, crafted a bespoke menu inspired by Tucci’s passion for Italian food, which he explored in his hit TV series Tucci – The Heart of Italy. In keeping with the Slow Food philosophy, the dishes were prepared using entirely British ingredients, infused with Italian culinary traditions and local flavors.

King Charles, known for his deep appreciation of sustainable gastronomy, opened the evening with a speech, warmly welcoming guests in Italian:

“Buonasera e un caloroso benvenuto a Highgrove.” [Good evening and a warm welcome to Highgrove.]

He expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Lambertini, Stanley Tucci, and Chef Mazzei, jokingly hoping that the collaboration had not tested their patience. Ending his toast with a nod to Italy’s beloved food heritage, he raised his glass:

“To Italy’s timeless food culture, so loved here in the United Kingdom and across the world.”

With a star-studded guest list and an exquisite culinary experience curated by Mazzei and Tucci, the evening was a true testament to the enduring bond between British and Italian culture—setting the perfect tone for King Charles and Queen Camilla’s highly anticipated spring tour of Italy.

#MaltaDaily

10% Of 2025 Is Already Behind Us

Feb 7 2025

We’ve officially completed 10% of 2025, making this the first key milestone of the year.

This moment offers a chance to reflect and realign goals, ensuring progress stays on track for the months ahead.

For many, it’s a natural time to reassess priorities and make adjustments before the year picks up speed.

With 90% of the year still ahead, February provides a critical window to recalibrate and set the stage for a productive 2025.

#MaltaDaily

Birdlife Propose EU Ban On Lead In Hunting And Fishing

Feb 7 2025

BirdLife has launched an international campaign urging the EU to ban lead in hunting, sport shooting, and fishing due to its toxic effects.

“Lead ammunition and fishing weights must no longer pose a risk to European citizens, the environment, and wildlife,” the petition states.

Lucas Micallef, president of the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK), dismissed the campaign as a political move against hunting.

He argued that 90% of lead ammunition is produced for military use, which would continue unaffected, while hunters lack viable alternatives for small and medium-sized bird hunting in the Mediterranean.

On the opposite side, BirdLife Malta’s Mark Sultana refuted FKNK’s claims, insisting the campaign is about health and safety, not anti-hunting policies.

While lead has already been banned in petrol, paint, and pipes due to its severe health risks, no such ban exists for hunting and fishing.

According to BirdLife Malta, over 44,000 tonnes of lead are still released into the EU environment annually from these activities. Lead contamination has already had devastating effects.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says, lead exposure contributed to over 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021, mainly due to cardiovascular complications. Lead is found in mining, smelting, manufacturing, and various consumer products, including batteries, paint, stained glass, and ammunition.

Lead can harm people through the ingestion, contaminated dust, soil, water, or food, or by inhaling fumes from burning materials that contain lead. Once inside the body, lead accumulates in the brain, liver, kidneys, bones, and teeth, causing long-term health damage.

BirdLife’s campaign emphasises that banning lead in hunting and fishing is vital for safeguarding public health and wildlife throughout Europe.

#MaltaDaily