Episode Notes Ildefons Lima is not only Andorra's national team captain, he's also a world record holder. But the 40-year-old footballer who is so beloved in his country is currently in an awkward situation, in a tug-of-war with Andorra's football federation over its COVID-19 protocols. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about that issue and more. Note: Thi…

In Marsa, dozens of migrants wait by the roadside every morning, hoping to be picked up for casual construction work. Sarjo Conteh, a 31-year-old Gambian man who died in a construction site collapse on July 23, was one of them. On this episode, we hear the stories of some of those men. In part two, we catch up with Claudio Camilleri, a marathon run…

Lino Cauchi's murder remains one of the great unsolved cases in Maltese criminal history. Cauchi vanished in 1982, but his body wasn’t discovered until three years later. His family are now seeking compensation for how the investigation was handled by police and the government at the time. We speak to forensic expert Anthony Abela Medici, who was o…

Former Malta international Jacob Borg looks back on a career that saw him represent the likes of Sliema Wanderers, Gżira United, Balzan as well as Finn Harps in Ireland. In this interview, he tells Times of Malta's Gianluca Lia that he is currently taken a step back from football while evaluating some offers, and discusses life during the coronavir…

The Nationalist Party is reeling. Its leader, Adrian Delia, has lost the trust of most of his MPs but is refusing to give up the party leadership. In this episode, Times of Malta journalist Ivan Martin explains how the PN got here and where things may end up in the weeks to come. In part two, we speak to ultra-runner Claudio Camilleri, who’s attemp…

Harry Ascroft now plays in Australia's second-tier after a spell with Finn Harps of Ireland, where he played with former Malta player Jacob Borg. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about that experience as well as his time with Balzan, with whom he played in the UEFA Europa League. Ascroft speaks about the COVID-19 situation in Australia and how football is…

All across the world, protest movements are tearing down monuments and statues which represent more divisive moments in different countries' histories. Is there a case for Malta to do something similar? On this episode, historians Charles Xuereb and Simon Cusens debate whether some of Malta’s colonial monuments should be removed or relocated. In pa…

Giulio Ghidotti is an Italian journalist from Bergamo who covers Atalanta and Albinoleffe. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about the coronavirus situation in Bergamo and the slow return to normality in the Italian region. Ghidotti also had a huge connection with Malta through journalism and in this interview he describes what the country means to him.…

Joe Ellul has had a positive season as a defender for Maidenhead, but his club and teammates are still unsure how the pandemic-affected season will pan out for them. What will the future hold for the lower league defender? Gianluca Lia speaks to him.

Malta International Airport reopened its doors to commercial airlines on July 1, after more than three months of coronavirus-imposed shutdown. We speak to some of the first tourists to visit Malta in the summer of 2020. In part two of this episode, we ask epidemiologist Neville Calleja what Malta has done right during the pandemic and get his take …

Times of Malta journalist Jacob Borg explains how he worked with Reuters to expose a 2015 deal linking Malta's energy provider Enemalta to the man accused of masterminding the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Borg was speaking before former minister Konrad Mizzi was kicked out of the Labour Party and economic crimes unit chief Ian Abdilla was repl…

Former police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar is now the subject of a criminal investigation over suspicions he may have tipped off a middleman in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Hours before that probe began, he sat down with Times of Malta for an exclusive interview. Ivan Martin provides insight into the latest developments in a case that kee…

We take to the streets of Valletta and speak to people who attended a Black Lives Matter demonstration and ask if they think Malta has a problem with racism. In part two of the episode, we hear from swimmer Neil Agius about how he's preparing - mentally and physically - to cross from Sicily to Malta later this month. Find out more at https://times-…

Chris Cardona's name has swirled around the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case in the past. But this week, the former minister was thrown right into the thick of things. Times of Malta's Ivan Martin walks us through the latest developments in the case of the century. Plus, teenager Leon Bartolo talks about the strains of being a student in Malta, a…

How will Malta fare economically once the pandemic blows over? Economist and financial adviser JP Fabri gives his prediction on how the country will weather the fallout from COVID-19. We also speak to national long jump record-holder Claire Azzopardi about the mental challenges she faced when training during lockdown. Find out more at https://times…

We speak to Angie Farrugia, who cannot fly to India to pick up her newly-adopted daughter because airports are shut due to COVID-19. Angie is one of a growing number of Maltese choosing to adopt a child. Shirley Mifsud from one of Malta's three private adoption agencies tells us why it's becoming more popular. Plus, Times of Malta reporter Claire C…

With the situation in Libya deteriorating because of civil war and now coronavirus, will more people try and make it to Malta to escape the desperate situation? Regional expert Mark Micallef explains what life is like in the north African country. Plus: wondering if you should get swabbed for COVID-19? Times of Malta online editor Bertrand Borg wen…

As the debate rages about what will happen to the 2019-20 season, Valletta FC vice-president Alex Fenech tells Valhmor Camilleri that if the BOV Premier League is cancelled it will have serious repercussions on the future of Maltese football.

Heritage Malta CEO Noel Zammit explains how he plans to keep the organisation alive during the coming months, without the income from tourists who usually visit Malta's museums and heritage sites. Plus, musician Glenn Sacco talks about his virtual collaboration with rock legend Jon Bon Jovi. Background reading: 'Tourism will be the last sector to r…

Archbishop Charles Scicluna discusses whether the Catholic Church is relevant in Maltese society anymore. He also shares his thoughts on greed, social media and hate speech. Plus, marine biologist Alan Deidun tells us how and why he believes wildlife is thriving across the islands since the COVD-19 pandemic forced us all indoors. Background reading…

She's become a household name ever since coronavirus reached Malta in early March. But who is Charmaine Gauci? We speak to the Superintendent of Public Health to get to know her a little better. Plus, Times of Malta journalist Jacob Borg explains how Malta gets its electricity, what are the rules it must play by, and why those contracts make it tri…

Seven weeks into the coronavirus pandemic lockdown, Malta's deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne discusses how and when he feels restrictions will be lifted, and warns "this might not be the only pandemic we see in our lifetime". In the second part of the episode, we speak to a Maltese teen activist who managed to secure a one-hour meeting with Prime…

As those living in Malta continue to stay indoors to stop the spread of COVID19, we ask epidemiologist Neville Calleja what the options are when it comes to reopening the country and staying safe. And 100 days into the tenure of Prime Minister Robert Abela, we speak to Times of Malta editor-in-chief Herman Grech about how Malta's new leader is hand…

Former Sevilla star Diego Capel only managed four games in Maltese football before the coronavirus brought sporting activities to a halt. Now he is keeping fit, getting used to life in Malta and hoping to see football - and life - return to normal as soon as possible. He speaks to Gianluca Lia about his experience so far. The interview is in Italia…

Malta's men's national waterpolo team will be competing in European Championships in Budapest later this month. It is a big challenge, but national team coach Karl Izzo is confident that the team is well prepared. Valhmor Camilleri speaks to Mr Izzo about the team's prospects.

Shaun Goater spent five years with Manchester City at the turn of the century, scoring almost a goal every two games and becoming a fan favourite. The Bermudian striker remains very involved in UK football and is now a youth coach at Macclesfield Town. Gianluca Lia spoke with him about the ongoing Premier League season.…

John Hutchinson won 11 caps for Malta between 2009 and 2011 and is to this day the most capped Central Coast Mariners player in the Australian club's history. He's now working as a coach at A-League side Western United. Gianluca Lia caught up with the former Malta midfielder and heard what he had to say about sharing the dressing room with Michael …