The Gozo Move? Property sale deals highest in Gozo in 2022

Aug 9 2022

According to the National Statistics Office (NSO) the total number of final deeds of sale of residential property amounted to 1,246 during July of 2022. This is a decrease of 10.1% (140 deeds) compared to 2020.

The value of the deeds amounted to €307.8 million, 2.4% higher than the corresponding value from the same month in 2021.

The report revealed that 90% of the total number of final deeds of sale involved individual buyers. Companies comprised the majority of the rest.

The values of individual buyers amounted to around €260.5 million (84.6%). A decrease of 13.2% (146 arrangements) was also noted when it comes to promise of sale agreements relating to residential property, with 956 of such deals registered.

92.2% were individual property buyers, with companies also making up the rest. Gozo had the highest number of deeds of sale registered with 174 deeds. The sister island was followed by Birkirkara, Gzira, Imsida, Ta’ Xbiex and San Gwann at around 160 deeds.

Birgu, Isla, Bormla and Kalkara registered the smallest number of deeds.

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Far-right youth leader charged with threatening mother and carrying unlicensed firearm

Aug 9 2022

20-year-old far-right sympathiser and founder of Malta Right Wing Youths Eman Cross has been arraigned in court this morning being charged with threatening his mother and her partner. He was also accused of making threats and insults in excess of the limits of provocation and carrying a firearm without a permit.

He is being accused of the latter in breach of the Arms Act and with having committed such offences whilst under a probation order issued in February of 2021.

Cross, a resident of Hamrun, was arraigned before Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit this morning by police inspector Sherona Buhagiar.

The accused had been previously expelled from other far right group Imperium Europa for ‘bad character and aggressive behaviour’ in 2021.

A treatment order, a restraining order and a separate request for seizure of the firearm were all requested.

Lawyer Charles Mercieca asked for a ban on publication of the man’s name, saying it could impact the employment prospects of the accused. However, the prosecution objected and argued that there is no reason for a ban as no minors are involved in the case.

Cross pleaded guilty to the charge of possessing the firearm as well as the breach of probation. However, he did not plead guilty to the charges relating to threats. He was placed under temporary supervision order and a treatment order.

Bail was requested but prosecution made no submissions on bail. If granted, the accused would be residing with his sister. Mercieca asked the court to make sure that Cross was allowed to go to work, stating that, given he is 20-years-old, he had only just tarted work and his financial means were limited.

The court upheld the request and ordered Cross to sign a bail book three times a week and observe a curfew. Bail was secured by a deposit of €300 and a €10,000 personal guarantee. Cross was placed under a treatment order for alcohol abuse and ordered to keep the peace with his family or face a fine of €500.

He was also ordered not to approach or talk to his mother and her partner. If he is found to have breached this decree, he could face a fine of up to €7000 or be jailed up to 2 years or both.

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You will now be able to leave WhatsApp groups without alerting everyone

Aug 9 2022

WhatsApp is releasing new privacy features which seek to protect messages and keep them as private and secure as face to face conversations.

Unveiled by Mark Zuckerberg on Instagram, the messaging app is set to roll out a batch of new features which, among other things, help you avoid your contacts even more.

One of the more interesting features in the new rollout lets users leave WhatsApp group chats without notifying everyone. This will not only boost privacy but also save that tinge of embarrassment we sometimes we feel when exiting a group.

Another feature will allow users to control who can see that they are officially online, thereby avoiding any unwanted conversations. Users will also be able to prevent screenshots on ‘view once messages’ to ensure that their privacy is maintained.

Some of these features will be released this month with others still undergoing development. This comes as WhatsApp makes several small updates such as speeding up voice messages and letting Android users transfer chat history to iPhone.

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Maltese Footballer graduates from Science Degree AND plays in English Premier League

Aug 9 2022

Malta Daily has caught up with local football starlet Maria Farrugia after she managed to balance both graduating from a science degree in Sport and Exercise Science whilst also playing in the English Premier League.

Having just shifted team to Durham Women FC, we celebrated her massive achievement by giving Maria space to talk all about her experience. Here is what she had to say:

How did you juggle your studies and social life whilst at the same time playing for one of the largest clubs in the UK (Sunderland)?

“Achieving a balance between studies, football and social life while at university was a bit challenging. However, by planning and managing my time well, as well as setting priorities, it helped me to stay organised and on top of everything. In addition, my family and friends have been a constant source of support and encouragement throughout this journey, which I cannot thank them enough for.”

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A post shared by Maria Farrugia (@maria_farrugia10)

What course did you graduate from and how do you think it will help you in, not only your sporting career, but your personal life as well?

“I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Northumbria University, UK. The degree has helped me gain a better understanding of sports performance along with subject-specific knowledge in areas such as anatomy, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics.

In addition, I have gained knowledge, skills, and experience that will be useful in my career and life in general as the the demand for sports science is increasing year after year and this opens up more doors in the future.”

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A post shared by Maria Farrugia (@maria_farrugia10)

What advice do you give to young Maltese athletes who are maybe scared to take the next step abroad because of their education and the lack of safety they might feel?

“My advice would be to push themselves beyond their comfort zones. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous and anxious before moving abroad, but pushing yourself beyond your comfort zones can help you develop and achieve your goals not only as an athlete but also as a person.”

How do you feel when you come back to Malta and get to represent your country internationally, playing with the likes of Haley Bugeja and Rachel Cuschieri?

“Representing your country is one of the most honourable things you can do. It is such a special and proud moment every time you wear the shirt and step onto the pitch with your teammates. It is an indescribable feeling. I believe every player is able to contribute to the team.” Hopefully in the coming games everyone will give their best as they always do to be able to gain positive results.

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A post shared by Maria Farrugia (@maria_farrugia10)

Even though you’re only 21, you have already achieved quite a lot in the football world. Do you have any specific targets or goals that you would like to see yourself achieve come the end of your career?

“One of my goals is to play at the highest level possible for one of the largest clubs in the world, but I must continue to work hard, improve every day, and always keep my feet on the ground.”

Farrugia also took the opportunity to give special thanks to the Malta Sport Scholarship for assisting her financially, something which the footballer states she will be forever grateful for.

Kudos Maria!

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