Malta's parliament on Monday adopted a law permitting divorce, which is expected to take effect in October on the archipelago. Malta and the Philippines, both overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, are the only countries in the world where divorce is banned.
The Libyan crisis continues to make the headlines in the international press. As several cities have now fallen into the hands of the opposition, many fear Muammar Gaddafi’s regime will strike back. Others are determined he will eventually back down. In the meantime, thousands of people are fleeing to neighboring Malta...
The pope met with a "small group" of victims of sex abuse by priests Sunday during a brief visit to Malta. The trip came amid a wave of paedophile charges against the church and criticism that the Vatican has helped to protect predator priests.
In this edition: a portrait of new Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy; the Czech Republic sets its 2009 agenda as new head of the rotating EU presidency; Muslim places of worship under threat in Italy.
Embarked for Europe, hundreds of illegal African immigrants pour onto Maltese shores crowded already with others tempted by the European Eldorado. In search of work, they soon realise that hope is the only thing they have. (Report: N. Ransom)
Malta 
