A man runs up the "gostra", a pole covered in grease, during the religious feast of St Julian, patron of St Julian's on Sunday. In the traditional "gostra", a game stretching back to the Middle Ages, young men, women and children have to make their way to the top and try to uproot one of the flags to win prizes. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Swimmers wait on an inflatable mattress for the "gostra" game to start during the religious feast of St Julian. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A petard explodes in the air during the religious feast of St Julian, patron of the town of St Julian's on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Hunters fire a fusillade of gunshots in a traditional salute as the statue of St Julian is carried out of the town parish church during the religious feast of St Julian, patron saint of hunters and of the town of St Julian's on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Joseph Magro, 77, of Qormi, was critically injured after being shot through the windscreen of his car after his passenger refused to hand over 60,000 euros cash to two armed men wearing balaclavas just outside the airport on August 22. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
Police cordon off the area around the getaway car used by two armed robbers who shot and critically injured a man outside the airport on August 22. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
A bendy bus is engulfed in flames soon after catching fire near the Maltapost head office in Qormi in the early hours of August 25. Photo: Jason Borg
The iconic Zabbar vintage bus bus that has stood the test of time, is seen parked alongside the modern but arguably less reliable Arriva vehicles at the Qormi depot on August 28. Little disruption was reported as old buses replaced the new, after all 68 bendy buses were withdrawn from the roads after a series of fires. Photo: Jason Borg
A fireman from the Civil Protection tries to control the flames after a van caught fire outside the National Stadium in Ta’Qali on August 24. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
An Air Malta pilot waits for other crew members on arrival at Malta International Airport on August 26. The pilots are under a pilots' association directive to dress down for flights – not to wear the jacket, tie and hat. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
A police officer and a man drag a capsized 10-foot boat to shore after its occupants were rescued two miles out at sea on August 25. The small boat had four people on board - three British men and one Maltese - when it capsized after taking on water. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Daniel Biolette (L) and Philip Camilleri (3rd L) are assisted by an Administrative Law Enforcement officer (2nd L) who was involved in their rescue after their boat capsized 2 miles off shore on August 25. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Would-be immigrants sit on the deck of an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) patrol boat after arriving at the AFM Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf in Valletta's Marsamxett Harbour early August 28. 115 African immigrants were rescued by the AFM from a rubber dinghy 90 nautical miles south of Malta while trying to reach European soil from Africa. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A would-be immigrant rests against another on an Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) patrol boat after arriving at the AFM Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf early August 28. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Would-be immigrants look out the window of a police bus at the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) Maritime Squadron base at Haywharf early August 28. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A group of savagely pruned trees line the Boys’ Junior Lyceum in Hamrun on August 22. The action has been called “blatant butchery” and a “scandalous form of institutional vandalism.” Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The 'Pacific Future', a Belize-registered cargo ship, is seen anchored off St Paul’s Bay on August 23. A Maltese court has awarded €345,000 in compensation to the crew of the ship, which has been anchored in the same spot since March after its owners went bankrupt. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The French sail training ship 'Belem' sails out of Grand Harbour under full sail on her way to Bonifacio, in Corsica, on August 25. The three-masted barque is more than 100 years old and is owned by the Belem Foundation. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Oarsmen row their traditional racing boat (bottom R) past the fortified city of Senglea while training for the Victory Day regatta races taking place on September 8, at dusk in Valletta's Grand Harbour on August 22. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
A bird’s eye view of the lagoon under construction at Smart City on August 22. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The setting sun is reflected off apartment balcony windows along the Sliema sea front on August 24. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Children play and cool down in the fountains on St George’s Square in Valletta on August 28. Photo: Jason Borg
Children dash into water at Salina at the start of a triathlon race for Under-12s along the Coast Road on August 25 The event was part of the Youth Triathlon Academy programme which started this summer. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Children hit the water at Salina at the start of a triathlon race for Under-16s along the Coast Road on August 25. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Vittoriosa goalkeeper Jean-Matthias Vella punches the ball away during their Premier League match against Mosta on August 25. Mosta won the match 2-0. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli