1 April: The day politicians can for once honestly say ‘that’s fake news!’

Waking up to 1 April comes with a warning: look out for pranks that your relatives and friends might pull on you… but not just. Media houses are amongst the entities who keep their annual appointment with this prank bash in the hope of fooling their readers.

And for once, politicians can correctly point fingers and shout “fake news!”

From MaltaToday’s €2 million scheme to help youths suffering from ‘text thumb’ to The Times of Malta’s summer elections and The Malta Independent’s bridge linking Valletta to Cottonera, media houses in Malta put their creativity to test.

The General Workers Union-owned website inewsmalta.com may have taken it a step too far by claiming that the police broke an ISIS ring in Bugibba, with the Labour Party’s own one.com.mt, pointing out that one should be careful before disseminating news that could cause the public to panic as this is prohibited by law.

The Opposition’s own news portal netnews.com.mt had a field day in reporting that the German brothel FKK Acapulco would be opening its own “gentlemen’s spa” in Malta… instead of the building that currently hosts the Broadcasting Authority.

The joke is in reference to allegations surrounding an alleged visit which Economy Minister Chris Cardona paid to the brothel – something which the minister denies – linked to the economy ministry’s planned move to the BA building.

The Maltese Curia’s newsbook.com.mt claimed that De Valette’s dagger – which is currently being displayed at the National Museum of Archaeology – was stolen.

The top prize for best effort admittedly goes to Lovin Malta’s announcement that it had registered itself as a political party, producing 52 proposals for its electoral manifesto and topping it all off with a music video which included some of Malta’s most popular celebrities.

Of course, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had to chip in on Twitter, tweeting that Labour’s “progressive-liberal coalition with Lovin Malta will be HUGE” – a dig at Donald Trump’s use of the word ‘huge’.

Despite the majority instantly realising that these were ‘fake news’, there still were online commentators who engaged in heated discussions taking the opportunity to defend their own party or thrash their rival party.

Abroad, The Guardian hilariously reported that UK MP George Osborne – who will be editing the Evening Standard newspaper – will be launching his own fashion line.

True to its tabloid nature, The Daily Mail claimed that Prince Harry and his American girlfriend Meghan Markle tied the knot in a "low key" Las Vegas ceremony.

The Irish Times reported that Trump International Holdings purchased one of Dublin's tallest skyscrapers and earmarked the site for redevelopment whilst Virgin Australia ‘announced’ it would become the first airline to employ dogs as cabin staff.

Google introduced the ‘smart gnomes’ – a device that answers all outdoors-related questions whilst car manufacturer Honda came up with a personalised honk where drivers could choose their preferred honking sound, depending on the mood or who they encounter.