A selection of some of the best pictures taken over the past week by photographers of the Times of Malta.

 

A massive papier mache grotesque mask depicting Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi dwarfs Culture Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera (right) and the chairman of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Albert Marshall, during a news conference on January 29, at which they announced that this year’s carnival would return to St George’s Square after 40 years. The mask heralds the return of political satire to carnival. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA massive papier mache grotesque mask depicting Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi dwarfs Culture Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera (right) and the chairman of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Albert Marshall, during a news conference on January 29, at which they announced that this year’s carnival would return to St George’s Square after 40 years. The mask heralds the return of political satire to carnival. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left) addresses a news conference at his office at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta on January 29. Anyone wishing to buy an EU passport from Malta must first live in the island nation for a year, the European Commission and Malta agreed on Wednesday, curtailing its contentious plan to sell EU citizenship for 650,000 euros. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMalta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (left) addresses a news conference at his office at the Auberge de Castille in Valletta on January 29. Anyone wishing to buy an EU passport from Malta must first live in the island nation for a year, the European Commission and Malta agreed on Wednesday, curtailing its contentious plan to sell EU citizenship for 650,000 euros. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil holds a news conference in reaction to the European Commission and the Maltese government reaching an agreement over the Individual Investor Programme on January 29. Dr Busuttil said the government had “backtracked” on its original proposal and was changing the controversial scheme for the third time. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiOpposition leader Simon Busuttil holds a news conference in reaction to the European Commission and the Maltese government reaching an agreement over the Individual Investor Programme on January 29. Dr Busuttil said the government had “backtracked” on its original proposal and was changing the controversial scheme for the third time. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A visitor walks out of a newly-inaugurated playroom at the Corradino Correctional Facility on January 28. The playroom, built and decorated by a team of 14 inmates, was set up to enable the young children of prisoners to visit their incarcerated parent in a better environment. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA visitor walks out of a newly-inaugurated playroom at the Corradino Correctional Facility on January 28. The playroom, built and decorated by a team of 14 inmates, was set up to enable the young children of prisoners to visit their incarcerated parent in a better environment. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

US Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley rolls up her sleeves to help paint a room at Dar Qalb ta’ Ġesu in Santa Venera in an initiative led by the embassy to help renovate the shelter for victims of domestic violence on January 24. Photo: Jason BorgUS Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley rolls up her sleeves to help paint a room at Dar Qalb ta’ Ġesu in Santa Venera in an initiative led by the embassy to help renovate the shelter for victims of domestic violence on January 24. Photo: Jason Borg

A Fire Scout MQ-8B drone helicopter sits the flight deck of the US frigate Simpson after its arrival in Grand Harbour, Valletta on January 23. The Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA Fire Scout MQ-8B drone helicopter sits the flight deck of the US frigate Simpson after its arrival in Grand Harbour, Valletta on January 23. The Fire Scout is designed to provide reconnaissance, situational awareness, and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A member of the Civil Protection Department sprays water to wash away acidic chemicals that were spilt from a nearby factory onto the busy Aldo Moro Road in Marsa, causing traffic chaos for three hours on January 27. Photo: Paul Spiteri LucasA member of the Civil Protection Department sprays water to wash away acidic chemicals that were spilt from a nearby factory onto the busy Aldo Moro Road in Marsa, causing traffic chaos for three hours on January 27. Photo: Paul Spiteri Lucas

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo joins in the fun at St Clara College primary school in Pembroke following the directions of Chef Smoothie during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. Photo: Matthew MirabelliEducation Minister Evarist Bartolo joins in the fun at St Clara College primary school in Pembroke following the directions of Chef Smoothie during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A student at St Clara College primary school, Pembroke, participates in a dance organised by Chef Smoothie during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA student at St Clara College primary school, Pembroke, participates in a dance organised by Chef Smoothie during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Students sample smoothies at St Clara College primary school during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. The nationwide campaign teaches students about the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly. Photo: Matthew MirabelliStudents sample smoothies at St Clara College primary school during a workshop promoting healthy lifestyle habits on January 27. The nationwide campaign teaches students about the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Finance Minister Prof Edward Scicluna makes his way to a press conference at the Public Contracts Review Board in Floriana on January 23. Photo: Matthew MirabelliFinance Minister Prof Edward Scicluna makes his way to a press conference at the Public Contracts Review Board in Floriana on January 23. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

61 year-old Charles Abela walks outside his son’s home in Cospicua on January 29. He claims that the dust created by grit blasting at the nearby Palumbo shipyard, which involves firing fine particles of copper at ships to remove paint, is affecting his family’’s health and damaging cars. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi61 year-old Charles Abela walks outside his son’s home in Cospicua on January 29. He claims that the dust created by grit blasting at the nearby Palumbo shipyard, which involves firing fine particles of copper at ships to remove paint, is affecting his family’’s health and damaging cars. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A couple glances over the breakwater bridge in Valletta on January 27, after it was closed after rough seas destroyed parts of the wooden decking. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA couple glances over the breakwater bridge in Valletta on January 27, after it was closed after rough seas destroyed parts of the wooden decking. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Shipyard cranes tower over the Three Cities in Grand Harbour on January 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiShipyard cranes tower over the Three Cities in Grand Harbour on January 29. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Balzan’s Jose Luis Armario Negrin (left) and Naxxar Lions’ Thiago Lopez jump for a high ball during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiBalzan’s Jose Luis Armario Negrin (left) and Naxxar Lions’ Thiago Lopez jump for a high ball during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

(left to right) Naxxar Lions goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi, Balzan’s Steve Bezzina and Naxxar Lion’s Mattia Del Negro go airborne in a goalmouth action during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi(left to right) Naxxar Lions goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi, Balzan’s Steve Bezzina and Naxxar Lion’s Mattia Del Negro go airborne in a goalmouth action during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Birkirkara’s Frank Temile evades Tarxien Rainbows’ Ryan Sammut during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiBirkirkara’s Frank Temile evades Tarxien Rainbows’ Ryan Sammut during their Premier League football match at Hibs Stadium on January 27. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.