The Malta Independent

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4 May 2025, Sunday

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Unions, employers broadly support proposed miscarriage leave, but seek more details

The government's proposal to introduce miscarriage leave has drawn broad support from unions and employer organisations alike, although several parties involved have called for clearer definitions and...

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O-Level student-based assessments are here to stay, says Curriculum director general

The newly-introduced O-Level assessment format, featuring student-based assessments (SBAs) throughout the final three years of schooling, is not going anywhere anytime soon, director general Jude...

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Malta offered to pay for aid ship’s repairs, but surveyor must be allowed onboard first – PM

Malta has offered to carry out and pay for repairs to an aid ship which activists allege was the target for a drone strike, but only after a maritime surveyor is allowed onboard to assess the damage...

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‘National interest to prevail over any other’: Grech and Abela to discuss aid vessel situation

Opposition leader Bernard Grech stated on Sunday morning that Prime Minister Robert Abela has accepted his request to urgently discuss the situation surrounding the Conscience aid vessel that was...

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Malta gets drones to spot litter – Now can we get one to detect corruption?

At long last, Malta is embracing the future. The government has proudly announced an AI-powered initiative to tackle public cleanliness. Prime Minister Robert Abela, flanked by a beaming Minister...

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So you saw 'Conclave' the movie. Here's what it got right – and wrong – about real-life conclaves

Speculation surrounding a conclave to elect a pope is a time-honored tradition. But for the impending conclave following the death of Pope Francis, the ranks of armchair Vatican experts have swelled...

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TMIS Editorial: A legal defeat and a crisis of integrity

The European Court of Justice's ruling against Malta's citizenship-by-investment scheme is more than a legal setback. It's the culmination of a decade of political decay, institutional failure, and...

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No blanket cuts needed, but public sector hiring raising concerns – Malta Employers chief

The public sector has grown significantly over the years, and while it is understood that there is demand to recruit the right people, oftentimes this is creating unhealthy competition with private...

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Government blocking struck vessel’s entry into Malta for second day since drone attack, NGO says

For the second consecutive day since it was hit by an alleged drone attack on Friday evening, the humanitarian tugboat “Conscience” is being impeded from entering Maltese waters and...

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The evolution of the Papal Conclave: From antiquity to modern times

The Papal Conclave, widely known for its elaborate rituals, secrecy, and theological significance, stands as one of the most unique leadership transition processes in global religious history....

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‘Abuse is rampant’: GWU chief makes case for mandatory union membership

Secretary General of the General Workers' Union, Josef Bugeja said that only collective bargaining and mandatory union membership can stop the systemic abuse faced by both foreign and local...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Carmel Cacopardo

Maltese citizenship: between price and value

Kevin Cassar

The Time of the Hero

Emmanuel J. Galea

St George’s Pjazza - Seconds lost, lives risked

Noel Grima

Zuppi – an idea for the conclave

Mark Said

All that hype about parliamentary walk-outs

Victor Calleja

When aping the past is not necessarily good

Owen Bonnici

The PN versus the people

Alfred Sant

Still relevant?

Mark Said

Liverpool FC: 20 times champions

Alfred Sant

Labour Day values

Two Maltese teenagers arrested over Paceville stabbing incident which left four injured

Two Maltese teenagers were arrested by police in the early hours of Saturday morning after a stabbing incident left four people in hospital. Police said that the police were informed of an...

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Cartoon 4 May 2025

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Dinner parties, listening and lobbying. What goes on behind closed doors to elect a pope

Rome is bustling with jasmine blooming and tourists swarming. But behind closed doors, these are the days of dinner parties, coffee klatches and private meetings as cardinals in town to elect a...

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Trump draws criticism with AI image of himself as the pope ahead of the papal conclave

President Donald Trump posted an artificial intelligence-generated image of himself dressed as pope as the mourning of Pope Francis continues and just days before the conclave to...

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ADPD says Malta must recognise Palestine as a state immediately and demand Gaza ceasefire

ADPD – The Green Party on Sunday called on the government to immediately recognise Palestine as a state and to use every international occasion to demand a ceasefire in Gaza. In a...

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Government says crew on vessel attacked by drone again refuses rescue

The government said Saturday evening that the crew on board the vessel Conscience continues to refuse to be rescued. In reply to suggestions made during the day that the ship should be allowed...

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Maksar gang trial - Carmel Chircop's main concern was Adrian Agius, wife told police

It's the ninth day of proceedings in the trial by jury of four men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel Chircop. The four men on trial are Robert and Adrian...

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Comino booking system put on hold after court decree

The booking system to visit Comino has been put on hold by the Malta Tourism Authority after a court decree upheld an application filed against the system, the MTA said Saturday. Team Blue...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Serie A leaders Napoli beat Lecce amid flares and delays to move closer to title

Arsenal's Champions League preparations go wrong after another loss to Bournemouth

New father Max Verstappen wins pole in Miami, his third through six F1 races this season

Antonelli becomes youngest pole winner in F1 history by taking top stop for Miami sprint race

Late penalty for Torino scuppers Venezia hopes of escaping Serie A drop zone

De Bruyne not finished yet as he gives Man City crucial win over Wolves

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

NGOs want government to allow entry to humanitarian ship

Maltese groups standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people are calling on the public and other organisations to gather tomorrow, Sunday 4 May, at 5:30pm in Castille Square, to demand...

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

Floriana Vilhena Pharmacy, 3, Triq Sant' Anna; Ħamrun Fra Diego Dispensary, 94, Triq Villambrosa; Żebbuġ Tal-Grazzja Pharmacy, Triq Franġisk Farrugia; Santa Venera St. Bartholomew...

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Prince Harry seeks family reconciliation after losing a court case that caused a split with his dad

Prince Harry said that he wants to reconcile with his family after losing a court battle Friday over his publicly funded security that he said led his father, King Charles III, to stop...

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Arsenal's Champions League preparations go wrong after another loss to Bournemouth

This was not the way Arsenal wanted to prepare for the Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain. Ahead of Wednesday's crucial second leg in Paris, Mikel Arteta's team...

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New father Max Verstappen wins pole in Miami, his third through six F1 races this season

Max Verstappen celebrated the birth of his first child with a pole-winning run at the Miami Grand Prix. The four-time defending Formula 1 champion edged Lando Norris of McLaren by .065...

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Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the papal election

Preparations for the conclave to find a new pope accelerated Friday with the installation of the chimney out of the Sistine Chapel that will signal the election of a successor to...

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Press freedom requires free and protected journalists – IGM

On World Press Freedom Day, the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IGM) said it stands with journalists around the world who continue to report truth to power in the face of growing threats. These...

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Birkirkara primary school to undergo full modernisation project

Birkirkara Primary School is set to undergo a complete modernisation under the government's €91 million EDU Infrastructure Programme, launched earlier this year. The transformation is part of a...

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Serie A leaders Napoli beat Lecce amid flares and delays to move closer to title

Napoli didn't let flares and delays affect its performance as Antonio Conte's side ground out a 1-0 win at Lecce to take firm control of Serie A on Saturday. Giacomo Raspadori scored the only goal...

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Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organisers say, in latest confrontation over assistance

Drones attacked a vessel carrying aid to Gaza on Friday in international waters off Malta, the group organizing the shipment said, in the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance...

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Business

Ukraine war, golden passports and oligarchs

BOV launches public webinar on scams and phishing awareness

Retirement in Europe Made Easy with Malta Citizenship by Investment

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

Unions, employers broadly support proposed miscarriage leave, but seek more details

O-Level student-based assessments are here to stay, says Curriculum director general

Malta offered to pay for aid ship’s repairs, but surveyor must be allowed onboard first – PM

‘National interest to prevail over any other’: Grech and Abela to discuss aid vessel situation

Malta gets drones to spot litter – Now can we get one to detect corruption?

So you saw 'Conclave' the movie. Here's what it got right – and wrong – about real-life conclaves

TMIS Editorial: A legal defeat and a crisis of integrity

No blanket cuts needed, but public sector hiring raising concerns – Malta Employers chief

Government blocking struck vessel’s entry into Malta for second day since drone attack, NGO says

The evolution of the Papal Conclave: From antiquity to modern times

‘Abuse is rampant’: GWU chief makes case for mandatory union membership

Two Maltese teenagers arrested over Paceville stabbing incident which left four injured

Cartoon 4 May 2025

Dinner parties, listening and lobbying. What goes on behind closed doors to elect a pope

Trump draws criticism with AI image of himself as the pope ahead of the papal conclave

ADPD says Malta must recognise Palestine as a state immediately and demand Gaza ceasefire

Government says crew on vessel attacked by drone again refuses rescue

Maksar gang trial - Carmel Chircop's main concern was Adrian Agius, wife told police

Comino booking system put on hold after court decree

20 new correctional officers, 5 of them women, complete 16-week training course

ADPD calls for change in the economic direction

Man from Pakistan dies after five-storey fall on construction site

Biker seriously injured in Mgarr collision

TMID Editorial: Is Comino’s capping much of a cap at all?

25 cultural events planned across Malta and Gozo through €500,000 government scheme

Three injured in Xaghra crash

New One-Stop-Shop platform simplifies festival permit process for local organisers

Maksar trial: Matthew Caruana Galizia describes moments after blast that killed his mother

NGOs want government to allow entry to humanitarian ship

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

Prince Harry seeks family reconciliation after losing a court case that caused a split with his dad

Arsenal's Champions League preparations go wrong after another loss to Bournemouth

New father Max Verstappen wins pole in Miami, his third through six F1 races this season

Vatican firefighters install a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel for the papal election

Press freedom requires free and protected journalists – IGM

Birkirkara primary school to undergo full modernisation project

Serie A leaders Napoli beat Lecce amid flares and delays to move closer to title

Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organisers say, in latest confrontation over assistance

No aircraft or vessel in Gaza aid ship attack entered Maltese airspace or waters – government

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

Antonelli becomes youngest pole winner in F1 history by taking top stop for Miami sprint race

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

De Bruyne not finished yet as he gives Man City crucial win over Wolves

Late penalty for Torino scuppers Venezia hopes of escaping Serie A drop zone