Times Talk by Times of Malta

Karl Gouder was one of the PN's brightest young hopes. He had served as a mayor and as an MP, and was months away from being made the party's general secretary.

Then, one morning last September, Gouder took his own life.

In this Times Talk exclusive, Karl Gouder's brother Simon opens up about that tragedy and the days leading up to it.

We also speak to a young man who survived multiple suicide attempts, and psychiatrist professor Anton Grech and Richmond Foundation CEO Daniela Calleja about men's mental health and the risks of suicide.

One is a lawyer, the other a TV presenter.

But for the next few weeks, Cynthia Galea and Sarah Bajada have had to put part of their personal lives and careers on hold to support their partners, who are running to be the country's next opposition leader and - they hope - the next prime minister.

In this episode of Times Talk, Adrian Delia's partner Cynthia and Alex Borg's partner Sarah, bring Mark Laurence Zammit behind the scenes on the campaign trail.

The Nationalist Party has forbidden Adrian Delia and Alex Borg from debating each other as they compete to become the party's next leader.

So we had to adapt.

In this Times Talk episode, we interview the two candidates separately about their vision for the Opposition party, but present their replies to you in a single take.

Toni Abela was a key figure in Malta's political scene before transitioning to the judiciary.

A former president and deputy leader of the Labour Party, Abela can now add 'retired judge' to that resume, having served for nine years in the judiciary.

In this rare interview, Abela reveals what it's like to be a judge in Malta and opens up about how the power of deciding a person's fate weighed on him.

The Nationalist Party is at a crossroads, again.

Bernard Grech’s surprise decision to step aside midway through the legislature caught the party off guard. And with Roberta Metsola deciding not to contest, the PN’s future appears uncertain.

Lou Bondi played a key role within the PN during its electoral heyday. George Vital Zammit was tasked by the party’s outgoing leader with writing its electoral manifesto.

In this Times Talk episode, we ask these two thinkers where the PN got it wrong, and what it needs to do to get back on track.

Joseph Portelli and Andre Callus met for the first time in their lives at the top of Mercury Towers, for a Times Talk debate that saw the two trade talking points, accusations and even the odd insult.

Portelli is one of Malta’s biggest construction moguls. Callus is arguably Malta’s best-known environmental activist. It is safe to say there is little love lost between the two.

The hour-long debate was moderated by Times of Malta assistant editor Mark Laurence Zammit.

Cardinal Mario Grech was among a handful of names mentioned in Catholic circles as being a potential successor to the late Pope Francis.

In this exclusive interview recorded inside the Vatican, Cardinal Grech says he was relieved he was not the man chosen to lead the Catholic Church.

Cardinal Grech sheds light on the conclave that led to the election of Pope Leo XIV and also touches on various challenges the Church faces, including the problem of many priests not wanting to become bishops.

Bajd u Bejken has carved out a particular niche in Malta's podcasting landscape. Crude, rude and dark, the comedy show has attracted a dedicated audience that delights in its brand of humour.

The laughs stopped this month, though, when the show was accused of humiliating Terry Muscat, a transgender social media personality.

One of the show's three hosts apologised and quit.

In this exclusive interview, Times Talk speaks to the remaining two, Max Vassallo and PJ Xerxen, about that joke, their plans for the show and whether there should be red lines in comedy.

Rebecca Buttigieg has unveiled government proposals for 'Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia' - proposals that, if they become law, would grant people the right to die in certain circumstances.

Although the proposals are not a draft bill yet, they could lead to one, and on Times Talk, Buttigieg fields questions on what could go wrong if the country were to introduce some form of euthanasia.

As cardinals gather in Rome to select the Catholic Church's next leader, Times Talk speaks to Ambassador and Vatican expert Frank Zammit about the conclave and its mysteries.

Zammit explains how the process will unfold and why he believes it could take slightly longer than usual for a puff of white smoke to emerge from the chapel chimney.

He also weighs in on the internal politics that take centre stage during the event, in an election meant to be the work of the holy spirit.