Two dramatic stories emanating from neighbouring Italy were the most read international stories on Times of Malta in 2018. Stories close to home, geographically and historically, kept our readers hooked online.
1. Motorway bridge collapses over Genoa, 35 confirmed dead
A motorway bridge collapsed in torrential rain near the northern Italian port city of Genoa, with the ambulance services saying that dozens had perished.
2. Mt Etna may collapse on itself, causing Mediterranean tsunami, experts warn
The South-Eastern side of Mt Etna in Sicily is slowly sliding into the sea and could collapse suddenly, causing a tsunami in the Mediterranean, experts warned, sparking fears among many Maltese.
3. Darren Debono and three other Maltese listed in US Treasury sanctions
Darren Debono and three other Maltese were listed by the US Treasury in a new round of sanctions targeting oil smugglers in Libya aimed at blocking exploitation of natural resources that is driving instability.
4. EU set to end switch between summer and winter time
The European Union's chief executive said the bloc was set to end the practice of switching between summer and winter time after a survey found most EU citizens against the practice.
5. Suspect Joe Xuereb arrested after horrific hammer attack in Greenwich
London police have arrested a man after a horrific hammer assault which critically injured two women in Greenwich. The Maltese surname clearly resonated with our readers.
6.Tremor felt in Malta as earthquake rattles Greece
A powerful quake struck off western Greece early on Friday, earthquake monitors said, causing slight damage but no casualties.
7. Chaos as Theresa May withdraws parliamentary Brexit vote
British Prime Minister Theresa May abruptly postponed a parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal on Monday, throwing Britain's plan to leave the European Union into chaos after admitting that she faced a rout.
8. 'Spider-Man of Paris' climbs four storeys to rescue baby... and gets citizenship
A man was hailed as a hero in Paris after he scaled a four-storey building to save a baby boy who was dangling off a balcony.
9. Migrant convoy heads to Spain as Italy hits out at 'hypocritical' France
Italy sent hundreds of migrants towards Spain in a small naval convoy on Tuesday after shutting its own ports to them, sparking a war of words with France that exposed EU tensions over immigration.
10. At least 10 dead in Italy as white-water creek swells
At least 10 people were killed in southern Italy when they were washed away over rocks by a raging white-water creek in a deep mountain gorge that swelled suddenly after heavy rain upstream.