The good news stories of 2025

In a year that had its share of difficulties, Malta also saw moments of joy, resilience and community spirit. 

Whether through powerful activism, unexpected acts of kindness, or creative solutions to local problems, these Times of Malta stories offered hope and a smile in 2025. 

Parks for the people 

Few would have predicted that Manoel Island would be declared a national park. Yet a passionate and persistent activist campaign, Manoel Island: Post Għalina (A Place For Us), turned that tide. 

Activists argued that the government had grounds to rescind its concession agreement with developers MIDI due to contractual breaches. And they presented a vision for what the area could be instead: a national park.  

That vision gained traction, fuelled by a coordinated social media effort and a widely shared petition. Eventually, the government and MIDI agreed to negotiate an end to the concession, and the prime minister vowed to make Manoel Island a national park.    

In the months that followed, two other parks were announced, at the White Rocks complex in Pembroke and Fort Campbell in Selmun. 

The activists had won. 

Parents vs. Big Tech 

The relentless march of technology has led to growing concerns that smartphones and social media will harm chidrens’ young minds.  

This year, some parents began fighting back.  

In Gozo, Elaine Pavia Grima and other parents launched Smartphone-Free Childhood Gozo, pledging to delay giving their children personal smartphones until they are at least 13. The initiative quickly became a support network, helping parents share advice, resources and encouragement. 

And in Malta, parents of children aged three to seven at San Anton School launched an initiative of their own. Their goal? To delay access to smartphones until age 15 and ban social media use until 16. Rather than focusing on restriction alone, they promoted real-world skills and self-confidence that isn’t reliant on likes or followers. 

The singing nun who made the internet smile 

On a sunny boat trip aboard a luzzu, 55-year-old Sister Michaela Paris, of the Ursuline Sisters of St Angela Merici in Msida, couldn’t resist singing along to I Will Follow Him, the Little Peggy March song famously performed in 1992’s Sister Act. 

Sister Michaela’s spontaneous singing and dancing delighted everyone on board, and a video uploaded by Luzzu Tours Malta quickly went viral. The joyful moment racked up thousands of views and brought smiles to people far beyond the boat ride. 

Turning a greengrocer into a theatre in Senglea 

Khoen Liem, a music enthusiast who moved to Senglea a decade ago, transformed the ground floor of his home into a miniature theatre to give something back to the community. 

Once a greengrocer’s shop, the intimate venue was turned into a rehearsal and performance space offered free of charge to young musicians. While entry is free, audiences are encouraged to support the performers directly. 

The space became a much-needed haven for Malta’s emerging musical talent and a community space for concerts. 

It remains unclear whether this story will have a happy ending, though: in November, events were suspended after police pressed charges against Khoen Liem following a neighbour’s complaints about noise.   

Care home residents shine  

A heart-warming project by Arthaus Productions gave older residents at the Imperial Care Home a moment in the spotlight, literally. 

As part of Still Here, residents took to the stage in a cabaret-style performance, sharing their life stories through music and monologue. Younger performers joined them in an intergenerational performance that celebrated memory, dignity and identity. 

Many participants said the experience allowed them to relive important moments from their past. More importantly, the show reminded audiences that everyone, regardless of age, has a story worth telling. 

First-ever awake brain surgery carried out in Malta 

Mater Dei Hospital reached a major milestone this year when it successfully carried out its first awake craniotomy - brain surgery performed while the patient remains conscious. 

The procedure, which allows surgeons to monitor key brain functions such as speech and movement in real-time, had previously only been available overseas. 

Led by neurosurgeon Dr Jasmina Djukic, the operation marked a significant advancement for Malta’s healthcare system, opening up new treatment possibilities for patients locally. 

A Paola bar is rebuilt in three weeks 

When fire ripped through Eusebio Bar in Paola, owner François Attard refused to let the damage define his year. Determined to reopen in time for the village feast, he rallied friends, family and community members and got to work. 

They rebuilt the beloved bar in just three weeks, working from 8 am until 11 pm. On reopening day, the bar was packed, a testament to how much the community supported Attard’s determination and spirit. 

Penis potholes get filled 

In one of the more unusual local stories this year, someone in San Ġwann began spray-painting cartoon-style penises over potholes. And it worked. 

The markings drew attention and embarrassment, and authorities were quick to repair the damaged roads. The anonymous protester later explained that his conventional complaints had been ignored. Phallic humour was the only tactic that got results. 

A Slais of kindness 

Every Christmas, Alex Falzon from Slais Butcher in Tal-Virtù honours a family tradition of giving. This year was no different. 

Falzon prepared and delivered bags of meat to families struggling to afford food for the holidays, continuing a tradition started by his grandfather. Known for his quiet generosity, he has become a symbol of community care, especially around Christmas. 

Pastizzi go global

Maltese expatriates in Europe had a reason to celebrate, as pastizzi, long considered a local delicacy, started appearing in shops and cafés from the UK to France. 

In south London, M.C. Sims in Tooting saw queues for its Maltese treats, including qassatat and pastizzi. Meanwhile, in Marseille, a baker with Maltese roots revived the ‘Caldi’  a local version of the pastizzi that had disappeared decades ago. Today, around 30 establishments across the city are said to be serving the treat. 

Whether in Newcastle or Marseille, it seems the pastizz is finding a new home and giving Maltese nationals abroad a taste of theirs.