News

Taiwan stays on high alert as Chinese ships pull back after massive drills

Taiwan remained on high alert on Wednesday after China staged massive military drills around the island the previous day, keeping its emergency maritime response centre running as it monitored Chinese…

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Italy’s Tajani calls for electoral reform with majority bonus before next national vote

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Wednesday the country's electoral law should be reformed to adopt a more proportional system as the ruling bloc seeks to safeguard its majority…

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More than 3,000 migrants died trying to reach Spain in 2025

More than 3,000 people died trying to reach Spain by sea over the past year, a sharp fall from the previous 12 months. However, activists cautioned that the drop reflected…

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Israel says it will halt operations of several humanitarian organizations in Gaza starting in 2026

Israel said it had suspended more than two dozen humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and CARE, from operating in the Gaza Strip for failing to comply with new registration…

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Germany’s Merz tells Europe to assert itself to safeguard peace, prosperity

Europe must assert its interests more strongly to ensure peace and prosperity in 2026 amid challenges from Russian aggression, global protectionism and changing ties with the U.S., German Chancellor Friedrich…

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Polish prime minister hopes for peace in Ukraine within weeks

Peace could be achieved in Ukraine within weeks thanks to U.S. security guarantees although success is still "far from 100% certain", Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said. Tusk also hinted…

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Russia puts nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile on ‘combat duty’ in Belarus

Moscow has placed hypersonic nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles stationed in Belarus on “combat duty,” the Russian Defense Ministry revealed in a video released Tuesday. No details were released on how many…

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UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen after Saudi strike

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen following an ultimatum. The country’s Defense Ministry, in a statement via its state-run WAM news agency,…

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The World Welcomes 2026: From Christmas Island to the Bering Strait

The first country to celebrate the New Year is Kiribati, an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean. Consisting of 33 islands in total, Kiribati has only 20 of them…

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UPDATED: Channel Tunnel power malfunction fixed, but rail delays may linger

The Channel Tunnel’s operator said trains through the undersea link between continental Europe and the United Kingdom were running again Wednesday in both directions after a day of travel chaos…

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Saudi-UAE Tensions Rise After Airstrike

Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that its national security was a red line and backed a call for United Arab Emirates forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, shortly after…

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Eurostar Cancels Multiple London–Paris Services Amid Ongoing Disruption

Eurostar has cancelled a number of upcoming services between London and Paris as disruption in the Channel Tunnel continues to affect operations. According to information published on the Eurostar website,…

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FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records

FIFA President Gianni Infantino justified the controversially high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup by announcing that the tournament had already received over 150 million ticket requests during the…

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Greece, Israel and Cyprus to step up joint exercises in eastern Mediterranean

Greece, Israel and Cyprus will step up joint air and naval exercises in the eastern Mediterranean in 2026, deepening their defence cooperation, Greek military officials and a senior source said…

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Trump warns Iran of possible strike

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday the United States could support another major strike on Iran were it to resume rebuilding its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs and…

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Russia accuses Ukraine of drone attack on Putin residence

President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied allegations by Russia that Ukraine launched a drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin's residences, and accused Moscow of trying to derail peace talks.…

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Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, dies at 80

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a dominant figure in the country’s politics for decades, has died at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness, her Bangladesh…

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China fires rockets towards Taiwan in war games

China fired rockets toward Taiwan on Tuesday and deployed new amphibious assault ships alongside bomber aircraft and warships to encircle the island on the second day of its most extensive…

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Scientists cite sharp decline in Mediterranean great white sharks, warn of extinction risk

Great white sharks in the Mediterranean Sea are in danger of disappearing, with illegal fishing contributing to their decline. This is according to research by US scientists, working in partnership…

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Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 30 December 2025

Morning Briefing Cloudy Skies and Isolated Showers to Mark New Year’s EveCloudy conditions are expected to dominate the weather on New Year’s Eve, with the Met Office forecasting occasional isolated…

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Search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 expected to resume on Tuesday

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is expected to resume on 30 December, more than a decade after the plane disappeared with 239 people onboard in one of aviation’s…

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Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro

Bulgaria will become the 21st country to adopt the euro, but some believe the move could bring higher prices and add to instability in the European Union's poorest country. A…

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UPDATED: US security guarantees for Ukraine set for 15 years, Zelenskyy says

US security guarantees for Ukraine have been outlined for a period of 15 years, with the possibility of extension, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists on Monday, providing more details about what…

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Army Chief Concedes Switzerland Lacks Means to Defend Against Major Invasion

Switzerland cannot defend itself against a full-scale attack and must boost military spending given rising risks from Russia, the head of its armed forces said. The country is prepared for…

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Kosovo’s Kurti wins snap election, signalling end of impasse

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti won a clear victory in Kosovo's second parliamentary election in 2025 with some 49.3% of the vote, results suggested on early Monday, with most of the…

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Denmark bids farewell to letter delivery and mailboxes

On Dec. 30, Denmark’s national postal authority PostNord will stop delivering paper letters, concluding a service first offered in 1624. The decision to sunset the delivery of physical missives is…

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China launches war games around Taiwan

China staged live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday, deploying troops, warships, fighter jets and artillery for its "Justice Mission 2025" exercises, as the island scrambled soldiers and showcased U.S.-made hardware…

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Malta News Briefing – Monday 29 December 2025

Morning Briefing Transport Operators Warn ETS Costs Will Hit ConsumersMalta’s Association of Tractor and Trailer Operators has warned that the full implementation of the Emissions Trading System and fuel surcharge…

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Trump and Zelenskyy Discuss Peace Deal Amid Ongoing Conflict and Optimism

During a meeting at Mar-a-Lago, US President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and expressed optimism about reaching a peace deal with Russia. Trump stated that a strong security…

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French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot dies at 91

French movie star and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has died at age 91, her foundation said Sunday. "The Brigitte Bardot Foundation announces with immense sadness the death of its…

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Italy’s Charity Associations and Terror Financing Exposed

Charity Associations Used in Terror Financing, Including the President of Palestinian Association in Italy Italian authorities have arrested nine individuals. Among them is Mohammad Hannoun, president of the Association of…

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Russian Strikes Trigger Polish Fighter Jet Response

Overnight, Russian forces attacked Ukraine, prompting anti-aircraft alerts. In response, Poland activated fighter jets and air defense systems to safeguard its airspace as a precaution. The Operational Command reported that military aviation operated in…

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Belgium Tightens New Year Security as Authorities Shift to Preventive Strategy

As Belgium prepares to usher in 2026, authorities in Brussels and across the country are rolling out an extensive security and prevention strategy aimed at avoiding a repeat of the…

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Zelenskiy says ‘a lot’ can be decided before New Year ahead of Trump meeting

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday he planned to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump soon and that a lot could be decided before the New Year as Washington…

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UK Living Standards Lag as Malta Wins Praise for Economic Strength, Telegraph Reports

Living standards in the UK are set to fall behind those in Malta, according to an analysis published by the Daily Telegraph, as Britain struggles with rising debt and weak…

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Turkey recovers black boxes from jet crash that killed top Libyan military officials

Search teams in Turkey recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, while efforts to retrieve the…

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In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza

Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day…

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US strikes Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria

The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday,…

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Malta News Briefing – Friday 26 December 2025

Morning Briefing Volunteers Bring Christmas Cheer to Hundreds in NeedChristmas Day proved a busy and rewarding one for volunteers as around 750 people were served lunch through initiatives organised by…

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NORAD Celebrates 70 Years of Tracking Santa

This Christmas season marks seven decades of the North American Aerospace Defense Command tracking Santa Claus on radar as he flies his reindeer-powered sleigh around the globe. "NORAD tracks Santa,…

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Zelensky moves towards demilitarised zones in latest peace plan for Ukraine

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has given details of an updated peace plan that offers Russia the potential withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the east that Moscow has demanded. Giving details…

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Australian state passes tougher gun, protest law after Bondi Beach shooting

Australia's most populous state on Wednesday passed sweeping new gun and anti-terror rules following the mass shooting on Bondi Beach, tightening firearm ownership, banning public display of terror symbols and…

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Pope Leo expresses ‘much sadness’ about Russia refusing Christmas ceasefire

Pope Leo said on Tuesday that he feels "much sadness" that Russia did not agree to a Christmas ceasefire in its nearly four-year old war with Ukraine. "Among the things…

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Two men found guilty of UK plot to kill hundreds of Jews as IS fears grow

Two men were found guilty of plotting to kill hundreds in an Islamic State-inspired gun rampage against the Jewish community in England, a planned attack investigators say demonstrates the resurgent…

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Turkey thwarts ISIS New Year’s Eve suicide attack plot

Turkey's national intelligence agency MIT captured Mehmet Gören, a senior IS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) member assigned to carry out suicide attacks targeting civilians in Turkey, Europe, Pakistan and Afghanistan, security sources said…

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US targets former EU commissioner, activists with visa bans

The Trump administration imposed visa bans on a former European Union commissioner and anti-disinformation campaigners it says were involved in censoring U.S. social media platforms, in the latest move in…

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UPDATED: Libyan army’s chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally recognised government…

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Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 24 December 2025

Morning Briefing MIDI says it had proposed Fort Tigné return to government The MIDI consortium said on Tuesday it had held discussions about returning Fort Tigné to the government before…

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Pakistan to strike multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal with Libya’s Haftar

Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense memorandum of understanding that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a…

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Starmer Says Closer EU Trade Ties Are a ‘Strategic Necessity’ for UK Firms

Keir Starmer’s government has been told a closer EU trade deal is a “strategic necessity” for companies in Britain as growing numbers of exporters find it tougher to do business…

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US seeks to cancel thousands of asylum cases

The Trump administration launched a nationwide campaign to void asylum claims of thousands of people with active cases in immigration courts by arguing that they can be deported to countries…

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Finland to roll out stricter rules on permanent residence permits from January

The conditions around obtaining a permanent residence permit in Finland will become stricter from 8 January 2026, the interior ministry has said in a press statement. The new rules will…

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Poland scrambles aircraft after Russia strikes Ukraine

Polish and allied aircraft were deployed early on Tuesday to ensure the safety of Polish airspace after Russia launched airstrikes targeting western Ukraine near the border with Poland, the armed…

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Polish Expert Suggests Possible Vice Presidency Could Enable Trump Third Term

Prof. Zbigniew Lewicki, an American studies expert at the University of Warsaw, told Polish state news agency PAP that Trump could try to sidestep the US constitution's two-term limit by appearing…

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Trump administration recalls dozens of US ambassadors

The Trump administration is recalling nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior career diplomats to ensure embassies reflect its “America First” priorities, a move critics said would weaken U.S. credibility abroad.…

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Trump announces plans for new navy warships to be known as ‘Trump-class’

Donald Trump has announced plans for the US navy to build a new generation of warships – known as “Trump-class”. The ships will be bigger, faster and a hundred times…

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Oil steady as market weighs Venezuela, Russia supply risks

Oil prices held steady on Tuesday after rising more than 2% in the previous session, as the U.S. said it might sell the Venezuelan crude it has seized, while Ukraine's…

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