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Oldest woman in Malta turns 112 years old!

Oldest woman in Malta turns 112 years old!
Mar 7 2024 Share

In a heartwarming announcement made this morning on the Identity Malta Facebook page, the island nation of Malta rejoices as Maria Farrugia, its oldest resident, marks an extraordinary milestone—her 112th birthday.

Maria Farrugia, who was born in Mosta, grew up in Msida, and later moved to Ħamrun when WWII struck, stands not only as the oldest living Maltese individual but also as the eldest person ever recorded in Malta and Gozo since public records were first kept in 1863. Born Maria Galea, she wedded Ġorġ Farrugia, and her life’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.

Maria weathered the storms of two world wars and countless historic milestones that have shaped Malta’s narrative.

In an interview with The People of Malta in 2022, Maria stated that there are no secrets to living a long life.

She was widowed in 1962 and had three children, two of whom passed away. Her daughter Carmen and her grandson Stephen now take care of her.

Working as a seamstress, she lived through both the Spanish Flu and the COVID-19 pandemic. Carmen told The People of Malta that Maria used to make blankets and sell milk with the family goat.

“Her family is very dear to her. She will not sleep without saying the rosary. She loves going through old photographs and recalling what she went through and recounting anecdotes. What does Maria like to eat? Simple food like vegetable soup and a slice of bread with oil and olives.”

A sister to four other siblings, some of whom died young, with one of them passing away at 37 due to a bomb raid during the war.

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98% Of 16 To 24 Year Olds Are Active On Instagram

98% Of 16 To 24 Year Olds Are Active On Instagram
Mar 6 2024 Share

The 2022 EU survey by the National Statistics Office (NSO) indicates widespread internet usage, with 91.5% of individuals aged 16 to 74 online, aligning with the EU average. 

Notably, 97.8% of users access the internet daily. While usage decreases with age, those aged 65 to 74 show consistent growth, reaching 65% in 2022. Younger age groups, especially 16 to 24, demonstrate universal internet use. 

Primary motivations include communication, information access, and entertainment. Misco’s seventh social media survey, conducted with the Malta Chamber of Commerce, analyzes usage trends since 2017. The survey, based on a random online panel, aims to avoid bias, with fieldwork in February 2024. 

Key findings include rising smartphone ownership, increased internet and social media use over TV, and declining traditional news consumption. 

WhatsApp shows continual growth, while Facebook remains popular for various activities across demographics. Instagram is preferred for following influencers, especially by young users but older consumers engage more in content sharing. 

Social media drives online ads, while food delivery and navigational apps are prevalent. Online banking and shopping are on the rise, with differences across age groups, notably with Gen Z and older demographics.

For more information, full report can be found here.

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Maltese Fugitive Mugshot On Popular IG Account: @mugshawtys

Maltese Fugitive Mugshot On Popular IG Account: @mugshawtys
Mar 6 2024 Share

Marzia Calleja Maatouk, a wanted Maltese fugitive, has had her mugshot end up on popular Instagram account @mugshawtys – an account which showcases mugshots of women who have had run ins with the law. 

With well over 34,000 likes, the comments section suggests that many have found her attractive – with comments like: 

‘She can illicitly traffic me’ and ‘your honour she’s just girl bossing.’ 

Llisted as one of Europe’s most sought-after females, she is suspected of fleeing the island with her partner, Jomic Calleja Mattouk, who allegedly participated in the importation of explosives.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by mugshawtys (@mugshawtys)

Europol reported that Marzia Marimar Calleja Maatouk was caught by the police in August 2019 with narcotics, suggesting an intention to distribute. In July 2023, she was sentenced to 15 months in prison and ordered to pay €3,500 in fines, but she absconded from Malta while her appeal was pending. 

Intelligence indicates that Marzia Marimar is accompanied by her husband, Jomic Calleja Maatouk, who is also wanted in a separate case. 

The couple is suspected of leaving the island on a private boat. Jomic gained attention in Malta for trading luxury items for Bitcoin at his Qormi store in 2017. He faced legal troubles, including attempting to import explosives via the dark web and violating bail conditions, leading to a five-year prison sentence that he appealed before fleeing the island in July 2023.

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Walid Nabhan Given Work With Kunsill Malti Għall-Arti

WALID NABHAN GIVEN WORK WITH KUNSILL MALTI GĦALL-ARTI
Mar 6 2024 Share

The government is actively engaged in discussions with Walid Nabhan to address his situation and prevent his departure from the country. Norma Saliba, CEO of the Ċentru tal-Ilsien Malti, confirmed this development following concerns raised by the Maltese-Jordanian author on social media about his intention to return to Jordan due to personal challenges.

Saliba revealed ongoing communication with Nabhan and Albert Marshall from the Kunsill Malti għall-Arti to explore solutions with the support of the Ministry. She expressed confidence that suitable options will be presented to Nabhan during a scheduled meeting on Tuesday to encourage him to remain in Malta.

He will be working in the Internalization section to facilitate cultural representatives from Arab countries. His work will include translation from Maltese to Arabic and vice versa. Walid will also be facilitating media work through the Maltese Language Centre in projects supporting the Maltese language.

Highlighting Nabhan’s significant contributions to Maltese literature, Saliba emphasized his role in translating Maltese literary works into Arabic, promoting Maltese culture abroad. 

She underscored the unique linguistic identity of Malta and Nabhan’s deep connection to the country, as evident in his preference for Maltese over his Palestinian or Jordanian heritage.

Saliba also noted the unstable situation in Nabhan’s home country, adding urgency to efforts to retain him in Malta. Nabhan’s literary achievements, including winning the National Book Prize in 2013 and the European Literature Prize in 2017, further underscore his importance to the Maltese literary landscape.

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