Local music phenomenon Shaun Farrugia had a night to remember as he popped the question to his long time parter and girlfriend Ylenia Bugeja.
Taking to Instagram Farrugia told his followers “so last night was incredibly special”, alongside a video of him surprising Ylenia on his knees getting ready to propose in the classic way.
The video ended with the two of them embracing each other.
A massive congratulations goes to Ylenia and Shaun from the Malta Daily office.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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