From the start of the only privately-funded mission to save lives in the Mediterranean, to the opening of the new parliament, Times of Malta presents a selection of its photographers' choice of their best photos over the past days.

The first parliamentary session gets underway at the new Parliament at City Gate, Valletta on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliThe first parliamentary session gets underway at the new Parliament at City Gate, Valletta on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat accompanied by Opposition leader Simon Busutill and other members of parliament make their way to the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliPrime Minister Joseph Muscat accompanied by Opposition leader Simon Busutill and other members of parliament make their way to the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

As the doors of the new Parliament are opened Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil make their way into the chamber on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliAs the doors of the new Parliament are opened Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil make their way into the chamber on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

MPs share a laugh with Archbishop Charles Scicluna as they enter the chamber of the new Parliament at City Gate on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliMPs share a laugh with Archbishop Charles Scicluna as they enter the chamber of the new Parliament at City Gate on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

MPs find their seats in the new Parliament at City Gate as they enter the new chamber on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliMPs find their seats in the new Parliament at City Gate as they enter the new chamber on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Ex-Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando looks down on the new Parliament chamber from the stranger’s gallery during the opening of the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliEx-Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando looks down on the new Parliament chamber from the stranger’s gallery during the opening of the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Labour MP Marlene Farrugia carried a flowering plant with her to the new building as a symbol of the good Parliament can produce during the opening session of the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew MirabelliLabour MP Marlene Farrugia carried a flowering plant with her to the new building as a symbol of the good Parliament can produce during the opening session of the new Parliament building on May 4. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Cleaning staff cross the bridge between the two buildings at the newly inaugurated Parliament House in Valletta on May 6. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiCleaning staff cross the bridge between the two buildings at the newly inaugurated Parliament House in Valletta on May 6. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew member looks at a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drone on board the ship MV Phoenix in Marsa on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew member looks at a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drone on board the ship MV Phoenix in Marsa on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew member talks on his phone on board the ship MV Phoenix in Marsa on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew member talks on his phone on board the ship MV Phoenix in Marsa on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew members arrange a flag on board the ship MV Phoenix as it sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) crew members arrange a flag on board the ship MV Phoenix as it sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Crew members stand next to a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drone on board the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship MV Phoenix as it sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiCrew members stand next to a Schiebel Camcopter S-100 drone on board the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship MV Phoenix as it sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A helicopter flies overhead as the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship MV Phoenix sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA helicopter flies overhead as the Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) ship MV Phoenix sails out of Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Regina Catrambone watches as the MOAS ship MV Phoenix sails outside Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Regina Catrambone watches as the MOAS ship MV Phoenix sails outside Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Regina Catrambone watches as the MOAS ship MV Phoenix sails outside Valletta's Grand Harbour, on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta on Saturday for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Regina Catrambone watches as the MOAS ship MV Phoenix sails outside Valletta's Grand Harbour, on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) and MOAS, left Malta on Saturday for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Christopher Catrambone (left) and Will Turner (right) of Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) stand outside the bridge of the MOAS ship MV Phoenix as it leaves Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations MSF and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS) founder Christopher Catrambone (left) and Will Turner (right) of Medecins san Frontiere (MSF) stand outside the bridge of the MOAS ship MV Phoenix as it leaves Valletta's Grand Harbour on May 2. The 40-metre ship MV Phoenix, manned by personnel from international non-governmental organisations MSF and MOAS, left Malta for a six-month mission to search for and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean. The Phoenix is the first privately funded vessel to operate in the Mediterranean. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrants wait for German President Joachim Gauck to visit a kitchen during a tour of the Marsa Open Centre in Marsa, on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrants wait for German President Joachim Gauck to visit a kitchen during a tour of the Marsa Open Centre in Marsa, on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

A migrant takes a 'selfie' with German President Joachim Gauck at the Marsa Open Centre for migrants in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiA migrant takes a 'selfie' with German President Joachim Gauck at the Marsa Open Centre for migrants in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

German President Joachim Gauck poses for pictures with migrants during a tour of the Marsa Open Centre for migrants in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiGerman President Joachim Gauck poses for pictures with migrants during a tour of the Marsa Open Centre for migrants in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Migrants watch German President Joachim Gauck's motorcade depart from the Marsa Open Centre in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMigrants watch German President Joachim Gauck's motorcade depart from the Marsa Open Centre in Marsa on April 30. Gauck was in Malta on a two-day state visit, during which he is also meeting with migrants and NGOs working with migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

German President Joachim Gauck (left) accompanied by Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat (right) are greeted with applause as they exit Castille in Valletta on April 30. Photo: Matthew MirabelliGerman President Joachim Gauck (left) accompanied by Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat (right) are greeted with applause as they exit Castille in Valletta on April 30. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

German President Joachim Gauck (centre) and his partner Daniela Schadt (2nd right), are greeted by well-wishers as they are taken on a tour around Valletta by Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (hidden) and his wife Michelle Muscat (right), on April 30. Photo: Matthew MirabelliGerman President Joachim Gauck (centre) and his partner Daniela Schadt (2nd right), are greeted by well-wishers as they are taken on a tour around Valletta by Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat (hidden) and his wife Michelle Muscat (right), on April 30. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

German President Joachim Gauck enjoys a moment in the sun at Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, on April 30. Photo: Matthew MirabelliGerman President Joachim Gauck enjoys a moment in the sun at Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta, on April 30. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Schoolchildren emerged from this minibus shaken and crying on April 30, after it was involved in a collision with a trailer truck in Madliena. The driver was slightly injured. Photo: Matthew MirabelliSchoolchildren emerged from this minibus shaken and crying on April 30, after it was involved in a collision with a trailer truck in Madliena. The driver was slightly injured. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Schoolchildren emerged from this minibus shaken and crying on April 30, after it was involved in a collision with a trailer truck in Madliena. The driver was slightly injured. Photo: Matthew MirabelliSchoolchildren emerged from this minibus shaken and crying on April 30, after it was involved in a collision with a trailer truck in Madliena. The driver was slightly injured. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Two men enjoy the warm weather at Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia on May 3. Photo: Matthew MirabelliTwo men enjoy the warm weather at Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia on May 3. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

A lady sunbathes at Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia on May 3. Photo: Matthew MirabelliA lady sunbathes at Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia on May 3. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

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