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2 May 2025, Friday

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Malta ranks 67th in latest World Press Freedom Index, remains one of the worst in EU

Malta has ranked 67th in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index 2025, with a global score of 62.96. This placement in the 2025 index is an improvement over the 2024 index,...

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Gaza aid ship suffers drone attack just outside Maltese waters, AFM vessel sent on site

A fire on board a passenger vessel outside Maltese territorial waters was brought under control earlier this morning, with no one reported injured, the Department of Information said Friday. Just...

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Maksar trial: Murder middleman Melvin Theuma continues testimony

The pardoned middleman in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder will continue testifying on Friday during the trial of four men accused of the murders of Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel...

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Tourist arrivals in March up by nearly 20% - NSO

Total inbound tourists for March 2025 were estimated at 289,030, an increase of 19.7 per cent when compared to the corresponding month in 2024, the NSO said Friday. During the month under review,...

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A PN government would remove tax on first €10,000 earned from part-time or overtime work – Grech

A new Nationalist Party government would remove tax on the first €10,000 earned from part-time or overtime work, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Workers' Day. He said that workers...

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TMID Editorial: Follow the Ombudsman’s recommendations

A report by the Commissioner for Education within the Ombudsman's Office was published yesterday, declaring that a highly controversial directive which restricts teachers' right to speak out violated...

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Maksar gang trial: Yorgen Fenech told middleman to ‘look for Ta’ Maksar', court hears

Melvin Theuma, the self-confessed middleman in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, told jurors that he was told to warn the 'Maksars' that police were targeting their...

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From the longest conclave to anti-popes: 10 fun facts about the secret voting to elect a pope

"Conclave," the movie, may have introduced movie-goers to the spectacular ritual and drama of a modern conclave, but the periodic voting to elect a new pope has been going on for centuries and created...

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‘We will not throw in the towel,’ Prime Minister says after golden passport court ruling

The government will continue putting forward all arguments in favour of the country, Prime Minister Robert Abela said when talking about the recent European Court ruling regarding Malta's sale of...

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May Day demonstrations in US and around the globe protest Trump agenda

Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world rallied Thursday in May Day protests that united many in anger over President Donald Trump's agenda from aggressive...

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Ombudsman says directive restricting teachers' media appearances violates freedom of expression

The Commissioner for Education within the Office of the Ombudsman, Judge Vincent De Gaetano, has found that a circular issued by the Education Ministry restricting teachers' media appearances is a...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant

Still relevant?

Mark Said

Liverpool FC: 20 times champions

Alfred Sant

Labour Day values

Darren Carabott

Francis Zammit Dimech: ‘It’s not about me, politics is a mission of service to others’

Kevin Cassar

It’s not your money

Valerie Visanich

The silly and the sacred

Julie Zahra

The politician who stood out

Emmanuel J. Galea

Plucked before the bloom

Carmel Cacopardo

When the earth cries

Mark Said

Gentrification in Malta

Man arrested in cocaine drug bust worth €2 million

The police carried out a successful operation at the Malta Freeport that led to the arrest of a 37-year-old man and the seizure of €2 million worth of drugs. During surveillance carried out...

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Africans say a Black pope would be nice to have. But they are not too hopeful

If the next pope is from sub-Saharan Africa, he would be the first in Catholic Church history. Catholic Africans think it is a long shot, though some are cautiously optimistic that Pope Francis'...

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72-year-old retiree to walk from Canterbury to Rome in aid of Caritas Malta

Raymond Aquilina, a 72-year-old retiree, father of two and grandfather of two, will be walking from Canterbury to Rome in aid of Caritas Malta. A statement issued by Caritas Malta said that...

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Workers remain ‘at the centre’ of construction sector reforms, Minister Jonathan Attard says

Minister for Justice and the Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, and officials from the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) and the Building and Construction Authority...

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Sulphur Emission Control Area is 'a vital step' towards cleaner air - BirdLife Malta

BirdLife Malta welcomed the official implementation of the Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA) in the Mediterranean Sea, which entered into force on 1 May 2025. "This marks a vital step towards...

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Malta is first country in Europe to grant permission for fireworks to be launched from drones – TM

Malta, through the Civil Aviation Directorate within Transport Malta, was the first country in Europe to authorize the launching of fireworks from drones, Transport Malta said. This was showcased...

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Man United and Tottenham take commanding leads in the Europa League semifinals

The rescue act is on for Manchester United and Tottenham. Big wins for both teams in the first legs of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday kept alive their hopes of lifting a major...

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BOV says it is not interested in acquiring HSBC Malta

The Bank of Valletta is not interested in acquiring HSBC Bank Malta shares, with BOV issuing a company announcement on Wednesday stating that following statements made by relevant authorities, it is...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Man United and Tottenham take commanding leads in the Europa League semifinals

Barcelona and Inter draw 3-3 in thrilling first leg of their Champions League semifinal

Dembele's early goal gives PSG 1-0 win over Arsenal in 1st leg of Champions League semifinals

Bologna miss out on Serie A top four after draw

McTominay's brace lifts Napoli atop Serie A after Roma beat Inter

Party time at Anfield as Liverpool win Premier League for record-equalling 20th top-flight title

Newcastle and Chelsea win to boost top-five hopes in Premier League as Ipswich relegated

Workers are more than just a cog in the economic system - ADPD

Workers are more than just a cog in the economic machine, ADPD - The Green Party said on Thursday. "The government's view of the worker is simply that of a resource. It is no wonder that Malta's...

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Maksar gang trial: Doctor gives gruesome description of Daphne’s dismembered body

The trial by jury of four men charged with the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Carmel Chircop enters its sixth day on Wednesday morning. The Tal-Maksar brothers, Robert and...

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Updated: Government has no vision for a just and sustainable Comino, Graffitti says

The Government's plan of a fixed number pre-booked slots for entry at the Blue Lagoon is wrought with loopholes and purposefully misses the main culprits of Comino's overexploitation - large tourist...

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42% of Gozitan establishments report better business performance in 2024

Forty-two per cent of Gozitan establishments have reported better business performance in 2024 when compared to the previous year, the Gozitan Tourism Association said. During the past fortnight,...

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Envisioning Malta’s climate future: Event sparks conversations on climate adaptation

Climate change has emerged as one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. From rising temperatures to extreme weather events, its effects are no longer distant possibilities but immediate,...

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Opinion: Journalists need a union, democracy depends on it

If journalism is in crisis, it's not because of censorship alone but because of burnout. Public debates on press freedom often focus on political attacks or legal threats to the press. These are...

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‘Complete lie’ – Joseph Muscat denies involvement in Daphne murder

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has again denied any involvement in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017. In a short Facebook post, Muscat was referring to...

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latest comment from RF, 01/05/2025 02:52: It wasn't Muscat who brought the FBI but an upright police officer. You ought to know that Muscat is a master of lying but appearing to say the truth as when he declared he never took a cent from any government project. How about thousands? Will he testify under oath of his lack of prior knowledge?

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Pharmacies open today 9am to 12pm & 4 to 7pm

Valletta Regent Pharmacy, 70, Triq Merkanti; Ħamrun Brown's Pharmacy, 706, Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp; Qormi St. George's Pharmacy, 21, Triq il-Kbira; Birkirkara Mackie's Pharmacy, Triq...

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TMID Editorial: The relevance of Workers’ Day today

International Workers' Day is a significant celebration of labour and workers' rights. Observed on 1 May each year, it traces its origins back to the labour movement in the late 19th century. The day...

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Government aiming to reduce social housing waiting list by 15% to 20% by 2035

The government is aiming to reduce the waiting list for social housing by between 15% and 20% by the year 2035, Social and Affordable Accommodation Minister Roderick Galdes stated during a press...

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Business

Finesse Group’s first business breakfast highlights human-centred marketing

Central Bank of Malta launches its 2024 Annual Report

Envisioning Malta’s climate future: Event sparks conversations on climate adaptation

Unlocking Global Opportunities: The Impact of MGA Licensing on Online Casinos

BOV announces pre-tax profit of €67.1m in first quarter 2025

Second interconnector: Contract signed for building, installation of subsea cable

BOV approached to be part of consortium to buy out HSBC Malta

Cryptic manipulation of global trade regulations

Malta ranks 67th in latest World Press Freedom Index, remains one of the worst in EU

Gaza aid ship suffers drone attack just outside Maltese waters, AFM vessel sent on site

Maksar trial: Murder middleman Melvin Theuma continues testimony

Tourist arrivals in March up by nearly 20% - NSO

A PN government would remove tax on first €10,000 earned from part-time or overtime work – Grech

TMID Editorial: Follow the Ombudsman’s recommendations

Maksar gang trial: Yorgen Fenech told middleman to ‘look for Ta’ Maksar', court hears

From the longest conclave to anti-popes: 10 fun facts about the secret voting to elect a pope

‘We will not throw in the towel,’ Prime Minister says after golden passport court ruling

May Day demonstrations in US and around the globe protest Trump agenda

Ombudsman says directive restricting teachers' media appearances violates freedom of expression

Man arrested in cocaine drug bust worth €2 million

Africans say a Black pope would be nice to have. But they are not too hopeful

72-year-old retiree to walk from Canterbury to Rome in aid of Caritas Malta

Workers remain ‘at the centre’ of construction sector reforms, Minister Jonathan Attard says

Sulphur Emission Control Area is 'a vital step' towards cleaner air - BirdLife Malta

Malta is first country in Europe to grant permission for fireworks to be launched from drones – TM

Man United and Tottenham take commanding leads in the Europa League semifinals

BOV says it is not interested in acquiring HSBC Malta

It is crucial that Europe continues working for a free global market – Grech

Government announces artificial intelligence-powered project for public cleanliness

Barcelona and Inter draw 3-3 in thrilling first leg of their Champions League semifinal

Malta’s golden passport scheme violates EU law, European Court of Justice rules

EU Court of Justice ‘puts an end’ to harmful citizenship-by-investment schemes

Updated: Government says citizenship scheme will be brought in line with European court judgment

Metsola slams golden passport ‘get-rich-quick scheme’ as legal and economic 'recklessness'

Updated: Muscat says passports scheme should continue as he is described as 'black page' in history

TMID Editorial: A simple step towards a cleaner, greener future

Workers are more than just a cog in the economic system - ADPD

Maksar gang trial: Doctor gives gruesome description of Daphne’s dismembered body

Updated: Government has no vision for a just and sustainable Comino, Graffitti says

42% of Gozitan establishments report better business performance in 2024

Envisioning Malta’s climate future: Event sparks conversations on climate adaptation

Opinion: Journalists need a union, democracy depends on it

‘Complete lie’ – Joseph Muscat denies involvement in Daphne murder

Pharmacies open today 9am to 12pm & 4 to 7pm

TMID Editorial: The relevance of Workers’ Day today

Government aiming to reduce social housing waiting list by 15% to 20% by 2035

3.6 kilometres of new electricity cables in San Ġwann

Tribunal revokes PA permit for 31-floor hotel at Fort Cambridge in Sliema

‘Citizenship has a value, not a price’: Grech says passport scheme should be suspended

Parliament holds heated debate over golden passport scheme ruling

New booking system to regulate number of visitors to Blue Lagoon comes into effect in May

Dembele's early goal gives PSG 1-0 win over Arsenal in 1st leg of Champions League semifinals