PN Pledges To Scrap Tax On First €10,000 From Part-Time And Overtime Work

May 2 2025

In a speech marking Worker’s Day, PN Leader Bernard Grech revealed that if his party is elected to Government they will scrap tax on the first €10,000 received from part-time or over-time work.

Grech revealed that the proposed measure was designed by the Nationalist Party to provide direct assistance to those workers making major sacrifices to keep up with the rising cost of living.

The Opposition Leader stated that that pledge is one of the many proposals that address worker’s issues such as the proposed exemption of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) from taxation, the provision of tax credits to small and medium-sized businesses to absorb wage increases, and the creation of a fund for importers and exporters to cushion the impact on prices.

Bernard Grech reaffirmed that all workers deserve fair and equal pay for performing the same job, stressing that there should be no distinction between first-class and second-class workers.

Throughout his address, Grech stated that the Nationalist Party believes that work should be of quality and should lead to a life of dignity, opportunity, and respect.

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Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Catches Fire Off Malta Amid Drone Strike Allegations

May 2 2025

In the early hours of Friday, a vessel bound for Gaza caught fire off the coast of Malta, prompting a swift response from local maritime authorities. The ship, Conscience, issued a Mayday call at 00:20 local time, reporting an uncontrolled fire on its bow while still in international waters. Onboard were 12 crew members and four civilian passengers. No casualties were reported.

A firefighting-equipped tug, located just one nautical mile away, immediately offered support and arrived on scene within minutes. By 01:28, the fire was brought under control. The Armed Forces of Malta also dispatched a patrol vessel to assist. All crew members were confirmed safe by 02:13, although they declined to board the tug. Firefighting efforts continued internally, and by 03:45, the situation was declared secure. The vessel remains outside Maltese territorial waters and is under ongoing monitoring by Maltese authorities.

However, the incident has taken a dramatic turn. The ship is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international campaign aiming to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza. The group claims the fire was caused by an Israeli drone strike—a serious allegation that, if confirmed, could escalate tensions in the region.

“There is a hole in the vessel right now and the ship is sinking,” Yasemin Acar, FFC’s press officer, told CNN by phone from Malta.

The vessel had been en route to Malta to pick up more activists—including climate icon Greta Thunberg and retired US Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright—before heading to Gaza. Neither was onboard at the time of the incident.

According to FFC, volunteers from over 21 countries were set to join the mission in Malta. The group continues to assert that the fire was a result of a targeted attack, though official investigations into the cause are ongoing.

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Israel Alleged To Have Used Drone To Attack Boat Off Malta’s Coast

May 2 2025

A Gaza-bound ‘Freedom Flotilla’ aid vessel caught fire and sent out an SOS after reportedly coming under drone attack in international waters off the coast of Malta, with the group alleging that they were attacked by Israel.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which seeks to end Israel’s blockade of Gaza, revealed to several reporters that 30 people were on board the ship carrying humanitarian aid when the alleged incident occurred shortly after midnight local time on Friday.

In a statement, the Maltese Government stated that at 00:20 AM the Malta Vessel Traffic Services received a ‘Mayday’ call from the passenger vessel Conscience, reporting a fire on the bow while outside territorial waters.

The Government also revealed that a nearby tug with firefighting equipment located approximately 1 nautical mile away contacted Malta VTS and offered immediate support and that by 01:28 AM the fire was reported to be all under control.

By 02:15 AM all the crew on the ship were reported to be safe, however refused to board the tug whilst assistance was provided to continue on supporting interior firefighting efforts.

By 03:45 hrs, the vessel and its crew were confirmed safe.

The Government confirmed that the ship remains in international waters and is under observation by the relevant authorities.

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72 Year Old Maltese Man To Walk 2,300Km In Aid Of Caritas

May 1 2025

Raymond Aquilina, a 72 year old retiree, will set off on a 2,300km pilgrimage from Canterbury to Rome in support of Caritas Malta.

A passionate trekker since his youth, Aquilina has completed 13 Caminos, including a 1,150km journey from Valencia to Santiago in 2023 to mark his 70th birthday, raising €3,750 for Caritas.

Originally planned for last year, this walk was postponed due to a cancer diagnosis. Now recovered, he will begin the Via Francigena on the 17th of May, walking to Aosta in 39 days, and completing the second leg to Rome in the autumn.

Aquilina is dedicating the journey to Caritas Malta, recognising their work with vulnerable communities.

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