JD Patrick & Terry Muscat To Clear The Air

May 10 2025

After the controversy which went nationally viral, wherein Bajd u Bejken Podcast shared an indecent of photo of Terry Muscat during a live show and prompted legal action, (now former) co-host JD Patrick shared a photo revealing he met with Terry to clear the air.

‘After it became a national issue for a few days’, wrote JD. ‘After everyone said what they had to say, and we exhausted all the possible arguments, both in favour and against. After we used more hurtful words to say how bad it is to use hurtful words.’

‘We chose to meet, speak, clear the air and share a big hug. Common sense prevailed. Love won.’

JD Patrick stepped down from his role as co-host from the massively popular local podcast after the incident, with Terry revealing prior that she was seeking legal action against the podcast for the crude joke.

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Maltese Priest Who Lived With Pope Leo XIV Shares Incredible Relationship

May 9 2025

Maltese Augustinian Prior Rafael Abdilla has opened up exclusively to MaltaDaily about his long-standing and personal connection with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost.

Abdilla first met the future pontiff during various Augustinian council meetings held in South America. At the time, Prevost was based in Peru, while Abdilla was serving in Brazil, where he spent two decades on missionary work. It was during these meetings that the two priests began to form a bond as they gathered with other Augustinian leaders.

However, their relationship deepened significantly during Abdilla’s ten-year mission in Algeria. Abdilla revealed that for two and a half years, he was confined to the Augustinian convent by Algerian authorities.

During this difficult period, Prevost—then Prior General of the Augustinian Order—personally visited and lived with Abdilla for several days. The pair shared meals, prayed, and spent time together, forming a lasting friendship.

Prevost also supported Abdilla during his difficult time in Algeria by helping arrange visits from his brother Manwel and other family members, including his mother.

Their bond became so strong that Abdilla later invited Prevost to celebrate Mass in Żurrieq for his 25th anniversary of ordination—a request Prevost gladly accepted. Abdilla also confirmed that he would frequently meet Prevost during visits to Rome.

He added that Pope Leo XIV had visited Malta several times, most recently in 2023 when he led a bishops’ meeting and celebrated Mass at the iconic Mosta Dome. During his time as Prior General, he made it a point to visit Malta every four years to attend the Augustinian General Meeting held locally.

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Museums By Candlelight On Saturday, 10th May 2025

May 9 2025

A sword of honour, personally bestowed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800, will be a key feature of this year’s Museums by Candlelight, providing the public with a unique opportunity to view an artefact closely linked to Malta’s maritime heritage.

The sword was awarded to French Rear Admiral Denis Decrès for his role during the French Blockade, and has recently been acquired by Heritage Malta.

For the first time, it will be exhibited at the Malta Maritime Museum, where it will take pride of place as part of the An Island at the Crossroads exhibition. This extensive display delves into Malta’s central role in Mediterranean trade and conflict, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the island’s rich maritime history.

In addition to the Decrès sword, the exhibition will feature an immersive experience highlighting Malta’s Drydocks, giving guests an exclusive glimpse into the island’s seafaring legacy. Heritage Malta curators will be available on-site to provide detailed insights and engage with visitors. Please note, the museum will be closing for restoration works on 31st May, so this represents one of the final chances to explore its current exhibits.

The exhibitions will be hosted across three iconic sites in Birgu: the Malta Maritime Museum, the Inquisitor’s Palace, and Fort St Angelo. All three venues will be open for Museums by Candlelight on Saturday, 10th May 2025, from 7:00 PM until midnight, offering a memorable experience with live music, candlelit atmospheres, and special exhibitions.

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85,000 Passengers Came To Malta By Cruise In The First Quarter Of 2025

May 9 2025

According to the latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO), total cruise passenger traffic between January and March reached 84,597, marking an 8,035-passenger increase over the same period in 2024.

The majority of these passengers, 83,095 were transit visitors, continuing Malta’s trend as a popular stopover destination in the Mediterranean. However, landed passengers, or those who started or ended their cruise in Malta, dropped sharply from 3,190 to 1,502, a decline of 1,688 passengers.

EU countries contributed 56.6% of passengers, with Italy being the largest source market at 21.9%, followed by Spain at 8.9%. Non-EU countries made up 43.4% of the total, with 36,725 passengers, primarily from the United States (25.8%) and the United Kingdom (18.3%).

Demographically, 52% of passengers were male, with the 40-59 age group accounting for the largest share at 30.6%, followed closely by those aged 60-79 years at 28.6%.

Notably, The number of cruise liner calls also jumped from 19 in early 2024 to 31 in the same period this year.

Have you travelled by cruise this year?

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