CD eNews

Von der Leyen questions Europe’s faith in rules-based order

The EU must decide whether the rules-based international order “is more a help or a hindrance to our credibility as a geopolitical actor”, the bloc’s top official said on Monday,…

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SIPRI: Europe now world’s biggest arms importer

Europe became the world's biggest arms importer over the last five years as governments reacted to Russia's threat and waning confidence in U.S. security commitments, data from the Stockholm International…

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Hungary’s opposition leader Péter Magyar calls on Russia to refrain from election interference

Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar has urged Russia to refrain from interfering in Hungary’s parliamentary elections after reports alleged that the Kremlin had deployed a covert team in Budapest to…

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Oil prices reach 14-year high

Crude oil prices have surged to their highest levels in at least 14 years, climbing above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2022 as the war involving Iran…

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Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father as Iran’s supreme leader

Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader, succeeding his father Ali Khamenei, in a move seen as confirming that hardliners remain firmly in control. The…

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Iran-backed militias intensify attacks against US, Israel and allies

Iran-backed militias around the Middle East are intensifying attacks against Israel, the US and their allies, in retaliation for the ongoing joint US-Israeli offensive against Tehran as the war draws…

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Rome boosts air defence to maximum amid Iran crisis as Meloni rules out any current US request for base use

Italy has raised its air-defence protection to the highest level as tensions escalate across the Middle East, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Rome has so far received no request…

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Iran says US will regret sinking frigate

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denounced the US torpedo strike that sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka, calling it an “atrocity” and warning that…

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Putin Says Ukrainian ‘Terrorist Attack’ Caused Tanker to Sink Off Malta

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine of carrying out what he described as a “terrorist attack” after a Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea near…

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Turkey says NATO defences destroyed Iran missile, risking war expansion

Turkey said NATO air defence systems intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile headed towards its airspace on Wednesday, marking the first time the country has been directly drawn into the widening…

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EU Rallies Around Spain After Trump Threatens Trade Embargo

European leaders have moved quickly to support Spain after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose a trade embargo on the country, escalating tensions between Washington and the European Union.…

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Iranian regime ‘are toast,’ US Defence Secretary says at Pentagon briefing

The conflict involving Iran and Israel entered its fifth day on Wednesday, with tensions escalating across the region and new military developments emerging. Explosions were reported in Tehran while Iran…

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Spanish PM insists he won’t bow to U.S. commercial pressure

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats would not cow Madrid into supporting the American-Israeli war in Iran. “We are not going to take a position…

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Mystery Blaze Off Malta as Sanctioned Russian LNG Tanker Explodes in Suspected Drone Strike

A sanctioned Russian LNG tanker believed to form part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” has been destroyed in a mysterious explosion in international waters to the southeast of Malta, with…

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Oil prices rise 1% as Iran crisis disrupts Middle East supply

Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted Middle East supplies, but the pace of gains slowed from ‌past sessions after President Donald Trump raised…

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Shipping Paralysed in Strait of Hormuz as Insurance Costs and Energy Prices Surge

Global shipping and energy markets are facing mounting disruption as vessels remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that carries around one in five barrels of the world’s…

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Oil rises as expanding US-Israel war with Iran heightens supply risks

Brent rose more than $3 on Tuesday for a third day of gains as the widening U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran and threats to shipping via the ‌Strait of Hormuz heightened…

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UPDATED: US Warns ‘Hardest Hits Yet to Come’ as Embassy and Bases Targeted

The United States has warned that its military campaign against Iran will intensify, even as American diplomatic and military sites across the Middle East come under attack and Israel expands…

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Drones intercepted off Cyprus, EasyJet cancels all UK-Cyprus flights

Two unmanned drones which had been fired in the direction of the United Kingdom’s Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus were “dealt with in a timely manner”, government spokesman Konstantinos…

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Middle East evacuations on the table if nuclear sites targeted, says UN atomic watchdog head

The mass evacuation of cities across the Middle East may be necessary if civil nuclear power stations are attacked leading to radiological release, Rafael Grossi, the director general of the…

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Cyprus on alert after drone strike on UK’s Akrotiri base; Israeli air strikes in Lebanon

A suspected drone strike on the United Kingdom’s RAF Akrotiri has underscored Cyprus’ growing exposure to the escalating Middle East conflict, as military activity intensifies across the region. British authorities…

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Balancing Preparedness and Prudence to mitigate Risks of the Iran-Gulf Conflict on Malta

Even without a direct security threat, the economic ripple effects of the Iran-Gulf conflict could reach Malta through higher energy prices, disrupted trade flows, and dented travel confidence. As a…

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More strikes aimed at Iran after Khamenei’s death, Waves of blasts heard over Dubai, Doha for second day

Israel said on Sunday it launched another wave of attacks on Iran, as Iranians grappled with uncertainty after the killing of their supreme leader in U.S. and Israeli strikes, while…

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Trump Announces US Attacks on Iran as Israel Unveils Operation ‘Lion’s Roar’

The United States has begun what President Donald Trump described as “major combat operations” inside Iran, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions and signalling a shift from deterrence to…

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UPDATED: Israel, US launch attacks on Iran

Israel said it launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran on Saturday, pushing the Middle East into a renewed military confrontation and further dimming hopes for a diplomatic solution to Tehran's…

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Deaths surge on Mediterranean migration corridor to historic high — UN

The start of this year has been the deadliest on record for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration. At least 606…

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US allows some embassy staff to leave Israel, citing safety risks

The U.S. will permit non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel over safety risks, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said on Friday, amid growing concerns about the risk…

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Regional tensions rise as Pakistan hits Afghan targets and Kabul warns of wider conflict

Pakistan bombed Taliban government targets in Afghanistan's major cities overnight, officials from both countries said on Friday, with Pakistan's defence minister describing the conflict as "open war". Security sources in…

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From Washington to London: Metsola outlines a tougher, more independent EU stance

Roberta Metsola has cautioned that attempts by the United States to influence political outcomes in Europe would be viewed as unacceptable, underscoring growing sensitivities around foreign interference as election cycles…

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Denmark to go to polls on 24 March

Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday, seeking to capitalise on a surge in support for her defiant stance against U.S.…

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Iceland to hold EU referendum ‘in the coming months’

Iceland will hold a referendum "in the coming months" on restarting European Union accession talks, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said on Wednesday during a visit to Poland. Reykjavik abandoned EU…

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UK and French Vessels to Support Ireland in Policing Its Waters

Ireland is to deepen naval co-operation with France and Britain, including allowing their vessels to patrol Irish-controlled waters and offer protection during the EU presidency. The move towards deeper co-operation…

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European Parliament President Urges Britain to Go Beyond Brexit Reset

Roberta Metsola is in London on an official visit to strengthen EU–UK relations. During the visit, she held a series of high-level meetings with British leadership. In a meeting with…

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Journalist deaths reach new high in 2025 — CPJ

Altogether 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Wednesday in an annual report. That makes 2025 the deadliest year for press…

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HSBC Malta Posts €109m Profit as Strong Capital Position Fuels Shareholder Returns

HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. has reported pre tax profits of €109 million for 2025, marking the third consecutive year it has exceeded the €100 million threshold despite a more challenging…

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Trump touts economic record in State of the Union, seeks reset ahead of midterms

Donald Trump used the longest State of the Union address in history on Tuesday to champion his economic record, declaring he had ushered in a new “golden age” for America.…

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Iran nears deal to buy supersonic anti-ship missiles from China

Iran is reportedly nearing an agreement with China to acquire advanced anti-ship cruise missiles, as the United States increases its naval presence off Iran’s coast. According to a Reuters report…

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A year of upheaval sets the stage for Trump’s State of the Union address

U.S. President Donald Trump will use his State of the Union address on Tuesday to sell his turbulent, norm-breaking second term to American voters who will decide in November whether…

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Zelenskiy marks war anniversary vowing to fight on, with Ukraine’s allies divided

Ukraine will not betray the sacrifices made by its people in four years of war just to make peace with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Tuesday, as divisions among…

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US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions

The State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their eligible family members from the U.S. embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said, amid growing concerns about…

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New US tariffs come in at lower 10% rate

The United States imposed an additional tariff from Tuesday of 10% on all goods not covered by exemptions, a notice issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, the rate…

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Putin Prepares New Call-Ups as Russia Struggles to Replace Battlefield Losses

New analysis suggests Russian President Vladimir Putin may be preparing further involuntary reserve call-ups as Moscow seeks to offset mounting battlefield losses in Ukraine. This has been revealed by a…

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Police search at Royal Lodge continues as Andrew released under investigation

Police have released Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after arresting him earlier on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince was photographed returning to Sandringham Estate in Norfolk shortly after leaving…

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Macron Urges Political Extremes to ‘Put Their Houses in Order’ After Activist’s Death

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on political extremes to “put their houses in order” following the death of a far-right activist during clashes in Lyon over the weekend. Speaking…

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US military ready for Iran strike from Saturday, reports claim

Senior US officials have reportedly indicated that the military could be prepared to launch strikes against Iran within days, as President Donald Trump weighs his options. According to several American…

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Nearly half of Maltese non-homeowners doubt they will ever buy property

Nearly half of Europeans who do not own their home believe they will either never be able to buy one or are simply not interested, according to the RE/MAX European…

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Von der Leyen’s industry revival plan faces internal resistance – reports

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is facing internal resistance to her flagship Industrial Accelerator Act, a key pillar of the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, according to Politico. The…

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Denmark’s king visits Greenland, showing unity in the face of Trump threats

Denmark’s King Frederik X arrived in Greenland on Wednesday for a three-day visit widely viewed as a symbolic show of support for the autonomous Danish territory, according to Agence France-Presse.…

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‘Difficult’ Ukraine peace talks end after Zelenskiy says Russia stalling

The second day of peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Geneva ended abruptly on Wednesday morning after just two hours of discussions, according to Time. The shortened session…

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High-flying Meloni bets big on a referendum

Italy’s right-wing Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is taking a calculated political risk by putting judicial reform to a referendum on 22–23 March, a move that could either strengthen her dominance…

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Vatican says no to Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’

The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will not join Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, dealing a blow to the US president’s efforts to assemble a new global…

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Trump administration ‘woke Europe up’ from slumber, US ambassador tells Euronews

US Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder has said the Trump administration has helped Europe “wake up” and stop “hitting the snooze button”, in remarks to Euronews. Speaking on the…

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NATO will become more European-led, NATO Chief Rutte says

The NATO alliance will become more European-led, with a continuing strong presence of the United States, as European allies significantly increase military spending, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on…

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Second US aircraft carrier to head to Middle East amid Iran tensions

The U.S. is sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran, U.S. media outlets reported late on Thursday. The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford…

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Storm Fronts Lash Italy, Spain and Portugal With Snow, Floods and High Winds

Severe weather conditions are continuing to affect several parts of southern Europe, triggering transport disruption, infrastructure damage and safety warnings as authorities brace for further deterioration in conditions. In Italy,…

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UK Finance Minister Urges EU to Admit Britain to ‘Made in Europe’ Framework

Britain should be part of any “Made in Europe” club giving preference to European goods, the U.K.’s finance chief has said. Rachel Reeves said she was in favor of the…

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North Korea’s Kim positioning daughter as successor

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appears to be taking steps to consolidate his daughter's position as successor, and there are signs she is providing input on policy matters, South…

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