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8 May 2025, Thursday

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The conclave to elect a new pope officially begins as the doors to the Sistine Chapel close

With the cry of “Extra omnes” — Latin for “all out” — the great doors of the Sistine Chapel closed Wednesday and 133 cardinals began the secretive, centuries-old...

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Black smoke: First conclave vote does not result in a new pope

Black smoke is pouring out of the Sistine Chapel chimney, indicating no pope was elected on the first ballot of the conclave to choose a new leader of the Catholic Church. The smoke billowed out...

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Maltese golden passport scheme slammed during European Parliament debate

Malta's golden passport scheme was heavily slammed by political representatives deriving from all political fronts on Wednesday evening during a European Parliament debate on whether Malta's golden...

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Archbishop reacts to euthanasia proposal: ‘Yes to palliative care up to our natural end’

Archbishop Charles J Scicluna issued a short reaction on social media to a government proposal for the introduction and implementation of voluntary assisted dying on Tuesday. The government on...

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Two new magistrates take the oath of office

Dr. Tanya Sammut and Dr. Monica Borg Galea took the oath of office as magistrates in the Inferior Courts of Malta during a ceremony led by Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, at...

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What is a conclave? What to know about the secretive process to elect the next pope

A conclave is the centuries-old election of a pope that derives its name from the Italian "con clave" (with a key) to underscore that cardinals are sequestered until they find a winner. Cardinals...

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Live - Maksar trial: Jurors shown graphic morgue photos as medical expert details fatal wounds

Jurors were presented with graphic photographs taken during the autopsy of Carmel Chircop, as court medical expert Mario Scerri gave detailed testimony on the nature and trajectory of the gunshot...

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Government opens public consultation on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia for terminally-ill patients

Government has opened a two-month public consultation process on its proposed principles and safeguards on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia, with only those who meet the criteria of having an incurable,...

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latest comment from Robert Parker, 07/05/2025 17:29: I've come to realise that a person seems to have a worse quality of life when they have a lot to bequeath. Odd how that seems to corrolate. And this. sort of proposal seems to fit so well with the typical maltese mantra of "uijja mhux xorta" . I mean, what's 6 months here and there, right? This is what we get when we have a bunch of bafoons in power.

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Senior cardinal urges conclave voters to pick a pope who seeks unity ahead of secret voting ritual

With all the pomp, drama and solemnity that the Catholic Church can muster, 133 cardinals on Wednesday began the centuries-old ritual to elect a successor to Pope Francis, celebrating a morning Mass...

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PN slams motion of no confidence in Għargħur Mayor

Local Councillors from the Labour Party are attempting to deprive the residents of Għargħur of the choice they made at the ballot box, in order to seize control of the Council for...

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latest comment from Steve Magri, 07/05/2025 17:24: Din attard gakbina. Kunsill ghandu jigi xolt u ssir elezzjoni ohra

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What name the new pope chooses can signal what's ahead

The first clue of the next pope's direction will be the name the winner chooses. The announcement "Habemus Papam" - "We have a pope" - from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica is followed first...

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recent poll

Blogs & Opinions

Alfred Sant

Green spaces

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

Gradual but steady erosion of international law ‘is alarming’ – President Myriam Spiteri Debono

The gradual but steady erosion of international law is alarming, President of Malta Myriam Spiteri Debono said during a speech during a lunch hosted by the Office of the Presidency for the Diplomatic...

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MHRA calls for national action to confront ‘Malta’s escalating drug abuse crisis’

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) has called for urgent and coordinated national action "to confront Malta's escalating drug abuse crisis," citing its growing impact on society, the...

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TMID Editorial: Church at the crossroads

As the Catholic Church looks ahead to the election of a new pope, it finds itself at a defining moment. The successor to Pope Francis will not merely inherit a symbolic mantle but a Church grappling...

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India fires missiles into Pakistani territory in what Islamabad calls 'act of war'

India fired missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory in several locations early Wednesday, killing at least 26 people including a child, in what Pakistan's leader called an act of war. India...

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EP approves the water resilience strategy, following ‘a landmark report by Thomas Bajada,’ PL says

The European Parliament approved by absolute majority the Water Resilience Strategy, following the adoption of a landmark report presented by Maltese MEP Thomas Bajada as rapporteur, the Labour Party...

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World-famous Red Arrows confirmed for Malta International Airshow 2025

The skies over Malta will once again welcome the iconic RAF Red Arrows during the 28th edition of the Malta International Airshow, happening on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September 2025, the event...

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Traffic accidents, casualties drop in first quarter of 2025 – NSO

During the first quarter of 2025, road traffic accidents and casualties decreased when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Road traffic fatalities amounted to four, the NSO said...

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Country needs a government that plans, not one that makes a mess, PN says

The government led by Robert Abela is prioritising the legalisation of illegal development over environmental protection and serious planning, the Nationalist Party said Wednesday. During a...

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news in pictures

events

Sports

Inter beat Barcelona 4-3 after extra time to reach another Champions League final

Oscar Piastri wins at Miami for 3rd straight F1 victory, 4th win of season for championship leader

Chelsea win and Newcastle draw to tighten top-five race as United loses again in Premier League

Roma and Lazio catch up with Juventus in fight for 4th place in Serie A

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

Government says it will carry out repairs on Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel out at sea

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel that was damaged in a "drone attack" near Malta last week has "damages which require minor repairs so that the vessel can sail to its next destination," a surveyor appointed by the government found. ...

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Three Standards Commissioner reports published following ethics breaches by PM, minister and MP

Three reports by the Standards Commissioner were published after Parliament's Standing Committee for Standards in Public Life authorised their publication on Tuesday. In a post on social media,...

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Beyond a possible Asian or African pope, what are the priorities of the cardinals in the conclave?

Cardinals electing a new pope have some fundamental questions to weigh, beyond whether to give the Catholic Church its first Asian or African pontiff, or a conservative or progressive. Although...

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latest comment from Jessica Pace, 06/05/2025 08:39: Money and power.

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Government launches insulin pump service for patients aged 18 and under with Type 1 Diabetes

The Minister for Health and Active Ageing, Jo Etienne Abela, announced that through an investment of €5 million, more than 220 people will benefit from an insulin pump service. This service...

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Electricity prices in the EU: Maltese households with lowest burden, government says

Malta has the lowest electricity prices for domestic consumers in the European Union when measured in terms of purchasing power standards (PPS), a government statement read. "This is according to...

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Updated: Maksar gang trial - Carmel Chircop fatally shot with four bullets, court hears

A police inspector told a trial by jury on Tuesday that Carmel Chircop was hit by four of the six bullets that were fired in his direction. Inspector Jonathan Attard described compiling a report...

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Friedrich Merz wins on second ballot to become Germany’s chancellor, hours after his historic defeat

Friedrich Merz succeeded Tuesday in his bid to become the next German chancellor during a second vote in parliament, hours after he suffered a historic defeat in the first round. The conservative...

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WasteServ says Marsaskala green park project to go ahead after court ruling

WasteServ welcomed a Court of Appeal ruling which it says clears the way for the transformation of the Sant' Antnin waste treatment plant in Marsaskala into a recreational green park. "The court...

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Inter beat Barcelona 4-3 after extra time to reach another Champions League final

Inter Milan has another Champions League final to look forward to. Once the players catch their breath, that is. In the end it took extra time, two astonishing comebacks and 13 goals to separate...

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181,403 outbound tourists during Q1 2025 – NSO

Total outbound tourists for the first quarter in 2025 were estimated at 181,403, a slight increase of 820 over the corresponding quarter of 2024, the National Statistics Office (NSO) said. "Total...

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Business

Malta and Ireland forge new trade horizons in online business mission

Malta’s first educational zero waste children’s cookbook earns three nominations at the prestigious

Express Trailers’ family members complete accredited family business course

HSBC Malta enhances travel insurance benefits for Premier, Advance, and Business Customers

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

The conclave to elect a new pope officially begins as the doors to the Sistine Chapel close

Black smoke: First conclave vote does not result in a new pope

Maltese golden passport scheme slammed during European Parliament debate

Archbishop reacts to euthanasia proposal: ‘Yes to palliative care up to our natural end’

Two new magistrates take the oath of office

What is a conclave? What to know about the secretive process to elect the next pope

Live - Maksar trial: Jurors shown graphic morgue photos as medical expert details fatal wounds

Government opens public consultation on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia for terminally-ill patients

Senior cardinal urges conclave voters to pick a pope who seeks unity ahead of secret voting ritual

PN slams motion of no confidence in Għargħur Mayor

What name the new pope chooses can signal what's ahead

Gradual but steady erosion of international law ‘is alarming’ – President Myriam Spiteri Debono

MHRA calls for national action to confront ‘Malta’s escalating drug abuse crisis’

TMID Editorial: Church at the crossroads

India fires missiles into Pakistani territory in what Islamabad calls 'act of war'

EP approves the water resilience strategy, following ‘a landmark report by Thomas Bajada,’ PL says

World-famous Red Arrows confirmed for Malta International Airshow 2025

Traffic accidents, casualties drop in first quarter of 2025 – NSO

Country needs a government that plans, not one that makes a mess, PN says

In a historic first, Friedrich Merz's bid to become Germany's 10th chancellor fails first ballot

80 years after World War II, Germany is still painstakingly searching for its fallen soldiers

PN says Education Minister failing to give details on Birkirkara school project

Ahead of the conclave, Vatican staff vow secrecy under threat of excommunication

Israel plans to seize Gaza under a new plan, officials say

Peter Agius to lead negotiations on single market rules in the European Parliament for EPP

Government surveyor boarding Conscience ship outside of Maltese waters, PM tells Parliament

Parliament pays tribute to Francis Zammit Dimech

Silence is a form of complicity, PN MP says on Gaza

Government says it will carry out repairs on Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel out at sea

Three Standards Commissioner reports published following ethics breaches by PM, minister and MP

Beyond a possible Asian or African pope, what are the priorities of the cardinals in the conclave?

Government launches insulin pump service for patients aged 18 and under with Type 1 Diabetes

Electricity prices in the EU: Maltese households with lowest burden, government says

Updated: Maksar gang trial - Carmel Chircop fatally shot with four bullets, court hears

Friedrich Merz wins on second ballot to become Germany’s chancellor, hours after his historic defeat

WasteServ says Marsaskala green park project to go ahead after court ruling

Inter beat Barcelona 4-3 after extra time to reach another Champions League final

181,403 outbound tourists during Q1 2025 – NSO

Maksar gang trial: Investigators found link between Caruana Galizia, Romeo Bone bombs

Portuguese man caught with €250,000 worth of drugs at airport

Pope Francis left unfinished business after a 12-year papacy. What challenges await the next pope?

TMID Editorial: SMEs are concerned

Public sector ‘not bloated’, but upskilling needed – GWU secretary general

Number of vehicles on the road increases by 19 per day in first quarter – NSO