The Malta Independent

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19 May 2025, Monday

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Let Leo be Leo: Why calling new pope ‘Ljun’ just doesn’t sound right

There are few things more enduring in Maltese media than the tradition of translating papal names. It's one of those quaint but consistent practices that say more about our culture than we perhaps...

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latest comment from C Xerri, 18/05/2025 12:16: Why should we not follow other countries which actually are writing the name Leo in their own language even if in that language the word like Ljun in Maltese refer both to the English/American name Leo and a lion?

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‘I want culture to pay the rent’ – EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef

Malta's EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sports Glenn Micallef said the European Union is well placed to lead a renewed effort to support cultural workers, with...

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National debt ‘not yet in the danger zone’ but certain factors could make it unsustainable by 2029

Malta is not yet in the danger zone when it comes to the national debt, but the country could find itself in that situation quickly without medium-term planning, especially if investment in renewables...

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‘The Nationalist Party has always been in favour of life’ – Bernard Grech on euthanasia debate

Opposition and Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech reaffirmed his part’s commitment to defending life and human dignity during an appearance on NET TV’s current affairs programme...

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latest comment from Malti ta' veru, 18/05/2025 12:36: COL crises solved the nats way! Cola increase of x euros will be tax free! PL Goverment adjusts the tax bands. The nats. Always 'taparsi' doing something!

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‘Talking about suicide will not trigger it’ – National Suicide Prevention Strategy lead author

Antonella Sammut - the lead author of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (2025-2030) and a consultant in public mental health - wants people to be more open about discussing their mental health...

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Pope Leo XIV vows to work for unity so Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world

Pope Leo XIV, history’s first American pope, vowed Sunday to work for unity so that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world, offering a message of love and communion...

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri's streak

Max Verstappen isn't about to let Oscar Piastri and McLaren walk away with his Formula 1 title. The defending champion ended Piastri's three-race win streak and gave his title defense a...

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What, why and how: Charting Malta’s soon-to-be new electoral map

Malta's electoral map is set to change, as Parliament will soon debate Electoral Commission proposals for some district lines to be re-drawn in view of population changes in the last half...

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Stricken Gaza aid ship to be towed to another port in the Mediterranean for repairs

The stricken Gaza aid ship Conscience is to be towed to another port in the Mediterranean for repairs, Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said on Sunday. The Conscience became the subject of...

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Malta placed 9th in Thursday’s semi-final

Malta scraped through to the Eurovision Grand Final having finished in 9th place during Thursday’s Eurovision semi-final, the results published after Saturday’s main event...

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TMIS Editorial: When saying sorry is too much for our politicians

If accountability is the foundation of democracy, then we are watching the rot spread right through its core. Recent reports published by the Office of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life...

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latest comment from Michael Walter, 18/05/2025 16:58: Denying responsibility, blowing their own trumpet, , betraying the truth without conscience, filling their own and their toadies pockets. Who does this characterize ?

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Kevin Cassar

Petty pigheadedness

Carmel Cacopardo

Think positive: dignified life before dignified death

Emmanuel J. Galea

Gozo demands its place in Malta Vision 2050

Julie Zahra

The film industry at a crossroads: an opportunity for growth

Mark Said

Quo Vadis Europe?

Victor Calleja

Yes, I still grieve for Daphne

Miriana and Yuval

Promoting peace

Continuity

The Trojan horse row

Austria's JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest with pop-opera song 'Wasted Love'; Malta 17th

Classically trained Austrian singer JJ won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland on Saturday with "Wasted Love," a song that combines operatic, multi-octave vocals with a techno...

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The FBI is investigating the explosion at a California fertility clinic as an act of terrorism

The person believed responsible for an attack targeting a Southern California fertility clinic Saturday posted rambling online writings before an explosion that investigators are treating as an act of...

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What happened in Għargħur this week repeats Mtarfa 2003 – with roles reversed

The situation in the Għargħur local council that developed this week is a repetition of what had taken place in Mtarfa 22 years ago - with the roles reversed. The Nationalist Party...

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latest comment from ACassar, 17/05/2025 13:32: Not exactly. In 2003 in Mtarfa, the PL still retained the mayor's post.

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Rabat residents stand united against ‘monstrous development threatening locality’

This morning, a press conference was held near Tal-Virtù, Rabat, by a united group of concerned residents to express firm opposition to a proposed development that would spell ruin to the...

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Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass Sunday is filled with symbolism. Here’s what you need to know

Pope Leo XIV 's inauguration Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter's Square and Basilica is a ritual filled with symbolism that connects back to Peter, Jesus' apostle, and his...

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Cartoon 18 May 2025

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Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity

Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the "stable union between a man and a woman," and that the unborn and elderly enjoy dignity as God's creatures,...

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

Valletta Collis Williams Pharmacy, 15, Triq ir-Repubblika; Ħamrun The Cross Pharmacy, 859, Triq il-Kbira San Ġużepp; Qormi Tal-Ħlas Pharmacy, 60, Triq Tumas Fenech c/w Triq...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri's streak

Retegui completes comeback to make Atalanta history

Crystal Palace pull off FA Cup upset by beating Man City 1-0 in final

Piastri on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP as Ferrari struggles

Aston Villa and Chelsea win at home and raise Champions League hopes

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

Eurovision explained as the extravagant pop contest reaches its grand final

There has already been triumph and tears, singing onstage and in the streets, and a touch of political division, as the 69th Eurovision Song Contest approaches its grand final in the Swiss...

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First public consultation meeting on voluntary assisted euthanasia held

The first public consultation meeting on voluntary assisted euthanasia took place on Friday evening, as part of the consultation process for this envisioned policy introduction. This meeting was...

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Ukraine-Russia political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground as war grinds on

Since U.S.-brokered talks began in March, Ukraine's strategy has been to convince the Trump administration that Vladimir Putin is unreliable and that Kyiv is serious about...

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Retegui completes comeback to make Atalanta history

Mateo Retegui made history on Saturday. And against the team he used to play for. Retegui set an Atalanta scoring record in a Serie A season when his 25th goal snatched a 3-2 win at...

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Malta signs joint declaration for ME ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza Strip

Prime Minister Robert Abela signed a joint declaration alongside six other European countries calling for humanitarian aid to be allowed to be delivered into the Gaza Strip as well as to call for all...

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Malta embassy in Tripoli denies reports Libyan PM evacuated to Malta

The Maltese embassy in Tripoli on Saturday denied reports that Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh had fled to Malta. "The Maltese Embassy in Tripoli confirms that after consulting with the...

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Crystal Palace pull off FA Cup upset by beating Man City 1-0 in final

Crystal Palace pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup final upsets in recent memory by beating Manchester City 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Palace lifted the trophy for the first time in its...

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Piastri on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP as Ferrari struggles

Oscar Piastri fought his way through traffic to take pole position in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Saturday as Ferrari had a terrible session, with neither car in the top 10. Piastri admitted...

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TMID Editorial: The hospitals case and the ‘worst thing’ Abela could do

There is a general consensus that one should always be prudent when talking about court cases. Politicians, given the attention that they garner from the media and the following that they have...

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Water conservation should be a priority, ADPD says

In Malta very little importance is given to water in spite of the fact that we do not have natural sources of fresh water such as rivers, ADPD-The Green Party said in Luqa on Saturday. Architect...

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Business

Catching up with Spain

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

Let Leo be Leo: Why calling new pope ‘Ljun’ just doesn’t sound right

‘I want culture to pay the rent’ – EU Commissioner Glenn Micallef

National debt ‘not yet in the danger zone’ but certain factors could make it unsustainable by 2029

‘The Nationalist Party has always been in favour of life’ – Bernard Grech on euthanasia debate

‘Talking about suicide will not trigger it’ – National Suicide Prevention Strategy lead author

Pope Leo XIV vows to work for unity so Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins F1's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to end Piastri's streak

What, why and how: Charting Malta’s soon-to-be new electoral map

Stricken Gaza aid ship to be towed to another port in the Mediterranean for repairs

Malta placed 9th in Thursday’s semi-final

TMIS Editorial: When saying sorry is too much for our politicians

Austria's JJ wins Eurovision Song Contest with pop-opera song 'Wasted Love'; Malta 17th

The FBI is investigating the explosion at a California fertility clinic as an act of terrorism

What happened in Għargħur this week repeats Mtarfa 2003 – with roles reversed

Rabat residents stand united against ‘monstrous development threatening locality’

Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass Sunday is filled with symbolism. Here’s what you need to know

Cartoon 18 May 2025

Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity

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

Government leases Qawra property to St. Paul’s Musical Society for 15 years

National Drug Addiction Unit inaugurated

104 robotic surgeries performed at Mater Dei Hospital last year

Standards Commissioner rules out further investigation into PM and Cabinet over asset declarations

Aston Villa and Chelsea win at home and raise Champions League hopes

Hospice reacts to euthanasia proposal: Supporting palliative care is most ethical option

Swieqi, San Gwann local councils object to ODZ school on busy junction

Lilu King granted bail again in ongoing assault case

Malta gets triple average monthly rainfall recorded in May in just 24 hours

Eurovision explained as the extravagant pop contest reaches its grand final

First public consultation meeting on voluntary assisted euthanasia held

Ukraine-Russia political theatrics underscore stark realities on the ground as war grinds on

Retegui completes comeback to make Atalanta history

Malta signs joint declaration for ME ceasefire and for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza Strip

Malta embassy in Tripoli denies reports Libyan PM evacuated to Malta

Crystal Palace pull off FA Cup upset by beating Man City 1-0 in final

Piastri on pole for Emilia-Romagna GP as Ferrari struggles

TMID Editorial: The hospitals case and the ‘worst thing’ Abela could do

Water conservation should be a priority, ADPD says

PL accuses PN with 'double standards' on Għargħur situation

Government announces harsher penalties for employers who violate workers’ rights

Maltese man arrested with 4kg of cocaine in Sicily – Italian media

‘Madness to build luxury hotels in a time of climate emergencies’ – Greta Thunberg on Manoel Island

PN ‘detached from reality’ and unable to put forward genuine solutions, PL says

Miriana Conte serves up place in Eurovision Grand Final