His wife asks him to ‘go up on me’.

How did all those suldati tal-azzar manage to get through the metal detectors?

Those things flip when half the readers don’t get a return signal.

Ping.

Russia is vastly more liberal and free than Malta in poking fun at its political leaders. Both Medvedev and Putin are regularly lampooned in the press and in TV shows, including an animated cartoon show, on national TV, where their stature and close relationship are especially caricatured.

There have been no arrests, intimidation or political pressure, and the show has been going on for years now. Medvedev’s attempt at dancing along to a famous Russian 1990 hit has become a staple of humorous impressions. Putin and Medvedev are the subject of countless sketches by Russian comedians. They’ve even laughed along at live shows.

Now try to imagine Joseph Muscat doing that.

I know that the Maltese love to compare themselves with the Russians, as a consolation of sorts, still believing that the Russians are ignorant oppressed moujiks while Malta is now home and dry in the EU. But I think you’ll find we’re rather less free, and rather less liberal, than we might think.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-24700026