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15 May 2025, Thursday

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Man jailed for 32 years over fatal beating of Żurrieq jeweller in botched robbery

A man who brutally assaulted an elderly jeweller during a failed robbery and left him to die has been sentenced to 32 years in prison, following the victim’s death from his injuries last...

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Blue Lagoon’s booking system back on track after court ruling

Team Blue Lagoon will kick start again the operation of the new "Book. Protect. Enjoy." visitor booking system aimed at protecting and preserving this popular and environmentally fragile Natura 2000...

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Updated: Ċaqnu’s application to demolish Empire Cinema for 11-storey hotel approved

A planning application for the demolition of the Empire Cinema complex in St Paul's Bay for the building of an 11-storey hotel has been approved, after a case officer recommended that the...

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Film commissioner Johann Grech fails to answer questions on public spending, PN says

During yesterday's sitting of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, Government representatives blocked the Committee from continuing to hear the testimony of Film Commissioner Johann Grech and...

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OASI Foundation raises concern about ‘laughing gas’ abuse

The OASI Foundation has raised concerns about abuse of Nitrous Oxide (N2O), better known as laughing gas. "N2O is used in the food industry as a food preservative and in the automobile industry...

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Gozo Business Chamber notes ‘grave situation’ at Mġarr and Ċirkewwa terminals

The Gozo Business Chamber (GBC) has taken note of "the grave situation" at the ferry terminals in Mġarr and Ċirkewwa. In a statement, it said that "though the situation at Mġarr...

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TMID Editorial: Why mandatory union membership isn’t the answer

The proposal to introduce some form of mandatory trade union membership in Malta has reignited a contentious debate. Promised in the Labour Party's 2022 electoral manifesto and endorsed by trade...

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Avoid driving through Msida Creek unless necessary, local council warns

Avoid driving through the Msida Creek area unless necessary, warned the Msida Local Council on Thursday. The Local Council issued this warning on social media due to rising water levels in the...

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Free mental first aid courses launched

Free first aid courses will be provided as part of a mental health protection initiative in the community, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela and Local Government Parliamentary Secretary Alison Zerafa...

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Bomb that killed Daphne was ‘active’ at 1.41am on day of murder, FBI agent tells court

The bomb that killed Daphne Caruana Galizia on 16 October 2017 was active at 1.41am, more than 12 hours before the journalist was killed at around 3pm on the same day, a court heard on...

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Those who've worked with Pope Leo XIV are optimistic he'll elevate women's roles — with limits

Before becoming Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost presided over one of the most revolutionary reforms of Pope Francis' pontificate by having women serve on the Vatican board that vets...

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recent poll

Continuity

The Trojan horse row

Nationalism

While remaining completely neutral, we must not be naïve

Carmel Cacopardo

Vatican smoke: between white and pink

Kevin Cassar

Rubbing their hands in glee

Valerie Visanich

Mothers who shaped us

Emmanuel J. Galea

Gozo’s autonomy debate: Two visions, one island

Mark Said

Strengthening our police corps

Noel Grima

The other side of the river

Eurovision semi-final: Will Malta end elimination streak?

Malta has made it to the Eurovision Song Contest final only seven times in the last 17 years, and the last three participations have seen three eliminations in the semi-final. Malta's...

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latest comment from RF, 15/05/2025 10:18: Sleazy kitsch but our minister of culture likes it.

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Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives in Turkey for peace talks but Putin is absent

A low-ranking Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for peace talks with Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Thursday, while a Ukrainian delegation led by...

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No place for ‘czars’ to rule over judges in democracy, Repubblika says on constitutional reform

Civil Society NGO Repubblika is opposing a government-proposed constitutional reform to introduce a new standards czar to oversee the conduct of magistrates and judges. Repubblika said in a...

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Malta takes on the Council of Europe Presidency for next 6 months

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg has received the gavel to chair the Committee of Ministers for the next six months, with Malta officially assumed the...

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Maltese families ‘crushed under the weight’ of exorbitant property prices, PN says

A report published earlier this week by Grant Thornton and Dhalia states that a property which in 2013 cost around €150,000 is now being sold at an average price of €337,500. This represents...

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Għargħur Local Council goes red as confidence vote topples PN mayor

The Għargħur local council will now be led by the Labour Party after a confidence vote backed by a newly-independent local councillor toppled the Nationalist Party mayor Helen...

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PA application to turn Villa Sans Soucis into elderly home suspended as amended plans requested

A planning application to turn what is reputed to be Malta's most haunted house into an elderly home has been suspended at the request of the project's architect after the Superintendence of Cultural...

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Pope vows every effort to work for peace in regions where Christians persecuted, forced to flee

Pope Leo XIV vowed to take "every effort" Wednesday to work for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and to actively promote the spirituality and traditions of the eastern rite churches, those...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Bologna end 51-year wait for a major trophy by beating Milan to win Italian Cup

Brazil sign Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti 1 year ahead of 2026 World Cup

Torrential rain fails to halt Inter's pursuit of leaders Napoli as gap cut to one point

Arsenal and Newcastle to meet in Premier League showdown as Champions League race intensifies

Hamrun make it three league titles in a row after beating Birkirkara 1-0 in final

Lazio snatch draw against 10-man Juventus in Serie A

Haaland returns yet Man City stumble to leave Champions League hopes in doubt

San Giljan beat Sliema on penalties to win BOV winter league

Man United, Tottenham reach Europa League final, one win away from Champions League

Degiorgio brothers weren't happy with payment for Caruana Galizia murder, witness tells court

The Degiorgio brothers were not happy with the payment for Daphne Caruana Galizia murder, Vince Muscat, known as il-Kohhu, said today in court. "Were the Degorgio brothers satisfied with the...

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Free childcare service launched for victims of crime while they testify in court

The Victim Support Agency (VSA) has launched two new support services for victims of crime and domestic violence. One of the services ensures that a victim who needs to appear in court as a...

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€1 million to be distributed in 2025 Artistic Heritage Scheme

The Ministry for National Heritage has announced that the Artistic Heritage Scheme for 2025 will distribute an “unprecedented” €1 million towards beneficiaries working to support...

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People implicated in breach of money laundering rules have no place leading MSE, PN says

The Minister for Finance has no issue with the fact that the Executive Chairman of the Malta Stock Exchange, Joseph Portelli, a government appointee, is implicated in a company linked with money...

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10 songs win a place in the Eurovision final but 5 are sent home as the music contest heats up

Competition in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Tuesday, with sauna-loving Swedish entry KAJ gaining a place in the final and five countries going home after the first of two...

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Bologna end 51-year wait for a major trophy by beating Milan to win Italian Cup

Bologna ended a 51-year wait for a major trophy when it beat AC Milan 1-0 to win the Italian Cup on Wednesday. Dan Ndoye returned from injury to score the only goal and help Bologna to...

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‘Super One 2’ once again found guilty of bias, PN says

The Broadcasting Authority has once again reprimanded what is supposed to be the national broadcaster, finding it guilty of being unbalanced and partial in the way it attempted to censor the...

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144 doctors and 293 nurses hired in 2024

144 doctors and 293 nurses were hired during 2024, as well as 2 pharmacists, Health Minister Jo Etienne Abela stated in response to a question posed by Nationalist Party MP Jerome Caruana...

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Scheme for commercial renewable energy installations launched

The Government is launching a new call-for-offers scheme for installations that generate electricity from renewable energy sources. "This scheme is another step towards strengthening energy...

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Malta is European leader in LGBTIQ+ rights for 10th consecutive year, government says

Malt ranked first on the 2025 Rainbow Map released by ILGA-Europe, which is the leading European organisation advocating for LGBTIQ+ rights, the government said. The map benchmarks 49...

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latest comment from RF, 14/05/2025 09:37: What did it cost the Labour government in money and effort to give these rights? Nothing compared to spending effort and money in investing in capital projects that would have created clean wealth and good jobs for all the Maltese! They may be first in this but last in the more important sectors like transparency, wellbeing, quality of air, etc.

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Business

HSBC Malta Foundation enhances Educational Access in Valletta through VR Technology

Breaking Barriers at the 18th BPW European Regional Conference and 12th Young Symposium in Valletta

Bank of Valletta offers the Guaranteed Investment Plan 2028 to its customers

Bank of Valletta extends its support to the Karl Vella Foundation

Is our education system ready for 21st century skills?

GO declares Malta a ‘True Fibre Island’

HSBC Malta Foundation supports the 6th edition of the Primary STEM Challenge

Man jailed for 32 years over fatal beating of Żurrieq jeweller in botched robbery

Blue Lagoon’s booking system back on track after court ruling

Updated: Ċaqnu’s application to demolish Empire Cinema for 11-storey hotel approved

Film commissioner Johann Grech fails to answer questions on public spending, PN says

OASI Foundation raises concern about ‘laughing gas’ abuse

Gozo Business Chamber notes ‘grave situation’ at Mġarr and Ċirkewwa terminals

TMID Editorial: Why mandatory union membership isn’t the answer

Avoid driving through Msida Creek unless necessary, local council warns

Free mental first aid courses launched

Bomb that killed Daphne was ‘active’ at 1.41am on day of murder, FBI agent tells court

Those who've worked with Pope Leo XIV are optimistic he'll elevate women's roles — with limits

Eurovision semi-final: Will Malta end elimination streak?

Ukraine's Zelenskyy arrives in Turkey for peace talks but Putin is absent

No place for ‘czars’ to rule over judges in democracy, Repubblika says on constitutional reform

Malta takes on the Council of Europe Presidency for next 6 months

Maltese families ‘crushed under the weight’ of exorbitant property prices, PN says

Għargħur Local Council goes red as confidence vote topples PN mayor

PA application to turn Villa Sans Soucis into elderly home suspended as amended plans requested

Pope vows every effort to work for peace in regions where Christians persecuted, forced to flee

Law report: Interpretation of ‘pre-existing medical condition’ clauses in travel insurance policies

TMID Editorial: A tragedy in the Med

Abela trying to put pressure on courts to exonerate ‘Joseph Muscat and his clique’ – Repubblika

Gafa should have used the tool of interrogation in hospitals deal case, Aquilina says

Vince Muscat tried to claim €1 million reward for information on Caruana Galizia murder via lawyer

Maksar gang trial: 'I don't have the guts to shoot', Vince Muscat tells court

There were over 12,500 property transactions in 2024, an increase over previous year

Students lament University decision to lay off casual part-time lecturers

ECHR finds no breach of human rights in Patrick Spiteri’s arrest in Malta

Degiorgio brothers weren't happy with payment for Caruana Galizia murder, witness tells court

Free childcare service launched for victims of crime while they testify in court

€1 million to be distributed in 2025 Artistic Heritage Scheme

People implicated in breach of money laundering rules have no place leading MSE, PN says

10 songs win a place in the Eurovision final but 5 are sent home as the music contest heats up

Bologna end 51-year wait for a major trophy by beating Milan to win Italian Cup

‘Super One 2’ once again found guilty of bias, PN says

144 doctors and 293 nurses hired in 2024

Scheme for commercial renewable energy installations launched

Malta is European leader in LGBTIQ+ rights for 10th consecutive year, government says

Ronald Mizzi reappointment is a blow to justice and good governance, PN says

2,225 reported cases of domestic violence in Malta in 2024

Partit Momentum aligns with European Democratic Party, within Renew Europe EP group

70-year-old motorcyclist grievously injured in crash

Trump and Pope Leo are now Earth's most powerful Americans. They lead in different roles and realms

Trailer too high for bridge in Paceville, traffic chaos ensues