Lights Out In Big Brother Malta House

Apr 16 2025

Big Brother Malta Season 1 has just come to an end, and we had the opportunity to see the lights turn off in the house for the last time.

Big Brother Malta became a staple of Maltese TV and day-to-day life these past few months as we followed the 15 contestants’ journeys, which culminated this past weekend in Jay’s victory.

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The antics, the background conversations and the drama will surely be missed – that is, until Season 2 rolls around!

Who do you think will be filling the house? Applications for the next season have already opened and we can’t wait to see what happens in the next edition!

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Copenhagen, London and Debrecen: 3 New Routes For Malta International Airport

Apr 16 2025

Malta International Airport is adding three new direct routes in March 2025, boosting its network of 109 destinations.

Scandinavian Airlines has returned with direct flights to Copenhagen, Denmark, reconnecting Malta with the Nordic region. Meanwhile, Universal Air has launched flights to Debrecen, Hungary’s second-largest city, opening up more access to Eastern Europe and a new route to London Southend adds another gateway to the UK, offering more flexibility for travellers.

Malta International Airport continued its strong performance in March, welcoming 725,134 passengers. Italy remained the top market, accounting for 19.6% of total traffic, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 18.9%, reaffirming their importance as key travel hubs.

Other top-performing markets in March included Poland, Germany, and Spain, rounding out the top five.

Seat availability also saw strong growth, with 851,608 seats offered on flights to and from Malta — a 17.2% increase over the previous year. Despite the surge, the seat load factor experienced a slight dip of 2.1 percentage points, standing at 85.1%, still a healthy figure reflecting sustained demand.

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Restored Samurai Armour To Feature At Expo 2025

Apr 16 2025

Three sets of Japanese Samurai armour, originally gifted to Malta in 1862 during a diplomatic mission, have been expertly restored in Japan through a collaboration between Heritage Malta, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, and the Embassy of Malta in Japan.

One of the restored suits—alongside a historic armour of the Order of St John—will be exhibited at the Malta Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between Malta and Japan.

The pavilion will also showcase replicas of iconic Maltese artefacts, including a Neolithic Seated Figure, the Majmuna Stone, and the Phoenician Cippus, reflecting Malta’s multicultural past.

The original Samurai gift was presented by a Japanese delegation that included Yukichi Fukuzawa—an influential Samurai, educator, and founder of Keio University.

This marked the first recorded visit of Japanese nationals to Malta, then a strategic stop on their journey to Europe.

The armour remained on display at the Grand Master’s Palace Armoury until WWII, when it was stored underground. Prolonged humidity caused serious deterioration, leaving it un-exhibitable for decades.

In 2016, Ambassador André Spiteri initiated efforts to restore the armour, enlisting the Kyoto Art Restoration Centre. Meticulous work revealed elements of a previously unknown third suit—an extraordinary rediscovery.

This initiative celebrates cultural diplomacy and revives a long-forgotten symbol of Malta-Japan friendship.

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Paiber’s Tears As Valletta Return To Premier League

Apr 16 2025

Photographer Matthias Brancaleone captured a powerful moment of passion and emotion during Valletta FC’s final match of the season last Saturday — a 3-0 victory over Marsa that sealed their return to the Maltese Premier League.

The match marked the end of a long and determined campaign for Valletta, who were relegated last year for the first time in their history. In the emotional footage, club captain Brandon Paiber is seen taking a moment for himself, overcome with feeling after helping his side bounce back to the top flight.

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Paiber, born in Argentina but a key player for the Malta national team, chose loyalty over comfort by staying with Valletta despite interest from Premier League clubs. His decision came with personal risks, including the possibility of losing his spot in the national squad due to playing in the Challenge League.

Reflecting on the journey, Brancaleone said, “In life, you meet people who share the same passion as you. This season, I got to know Brandon Paiber better, and we both understood what this journey meant to us — each from our own perspective. What a moment it was. You deserve so much, Paiber. You stayed with Valletta Football Club, fully aware that it might cost you your spot on the National Team.”

Following the win at the National Stadium, celebrations erupted across Republic Street in Valletta, where thousands of supporters filled the streets in a sea of white, chanting and cheering late into the night — a powerful reminder of why Valletta’s fanbase is among the most passionate in Maltese football.

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Source: Matthias Brancaleone