News

Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 20 December 2023

Morning Briefing Mental health support for teachers included in new education strategy The proposed National Education Strategy outlines provisions for mental health support for teachers, increased emphasis on physical activity…

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WHO classifies JN.1 coronavirus strain as ‘variant of interest’

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday classified the JN.1 coronavirus strain as a "variant of interest", but said it did not pose much threat to public health. "Based on…

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Turkey’s Erdogan says EU will ‘stall’ Ukraine, Moldova accession

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was on Tuesday cited as saying the European Union would stall Ukraine and Moldova's accession to the EU, adding that Ankara had long earned the right…

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Serbian elections marred by president’s involvement, vote buying – observers

Serbia's snap elections have been marred by "unjust competition" by the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), the presence of President Aleksandar Vucic in the campaign, media bias and vote buying, an international…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 19 December 2023

Update 1145 Government says European Commission approves Malta update on energy plan Malta's draft update to the National Energy and Plan, initially introduced in 2019, has received positive feedback from…

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Opposition parties reject Azerbaijan’s snap election call as undemocratic

Azerbaijan's two main opposition parties on Monday denounced the calling of a snap election, in which President Ilham Aliyev is expected to extend his 20 years in power, as undemocratic…

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Magnitude-6.2 quake kills 118 in northwestern China’s Gansu, Qinghai provinces

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake jolted a remote and mountainous county on the northern edge of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau just before midnight on Monday, killing at least 118 people and injuring hundreds,…

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China, North Korea hold high-level meeting amid missile launches

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with a senior North Korean official in Beijing on Monday, coinciding with Pyongyang's launch of a missile capable of reaching anywhere in the…

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Ukraine’s army chief says situation at front line is not a stalemate

Ukraine's army chief said on Monday the situation on the front line of the war against Russian forces had not reached a stalemate. General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi described the war with…

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CIA chief to meet Israeli, Qatari officials for hostage deal talks – US source

CIA chief Bill Burns will meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and the head of Israel's Mossad spy agency in Warsaw on Monday to discuss a potential…

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US lawmakers urge Biden to probe EU targeting of tech firms -letter

A bipartisan group of lawmakers has written to U.S. President Joe Biden, warning European technology regulation could threaten U.S. interests. Under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), five major…

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Iraq holds first provincial elections in a decade

Iraqis were voting on Monday in the first provincial council elections in a decade, with the ruling Shi'ite Muslim alliance likely to extend its grip on power amid a boycott…

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Turkey saves $2 billion on Russian oil as imports soar despite sanctions

Turkey and Turkish companies have saved around $2 billion on energy bills in 2023 by raising imports of discounted Russian oil and refined products, Reuters calculation based on LSEG data…

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Wars raise profit outlook for US defense industry in 2024

When the Pentagon pulled the world's biggest defense contractors into a meeting to tell them to ramp up production shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, one CEO hesitated, saying they did…

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German firms’ China worries pushing up costs, Bundesbank finds

Years of effort by German companies to diversify their supply chains is pushing up costs and further increases are still in the pipeline, especially for firms with ties to China,…

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Magnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes Indian Kashmir – EMSC

An earthquake of magnitude 5.6 struck near Indian-ruled Kashmir on Monday, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.The quake struck 23 km (14 miles) southwest of Padam, in northern India at…

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Unionists do not expect Northern Ireland deal by Christmas – spokesperson

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party does not expect to reach a deal with London to secure its return to the power-sharing government by Christmas, a spokesperson for the region's largest…

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Russia and Ukraine launch swarm of drones at each other’s territory

Ukraine and Russia launched a swarm of drones at each other's territories on Sunday as both sides step up attacks, with the Russian assault reportedly killing one person in Odesa…

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Malta News Briefing – Monday 18 December 2023

Morning Briefing President calls on people to move beyond political divisions The President of Malta, George Vella, urged people to move beyond political divisions to prevent the nation from stagnation.…

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Yes, Trump can win the 2024 election. Here are four reasons why

By James Oliphant WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - He has been impeached twice, tried to thwart the peaceful transfer of power after losing the 2020 presidential election, faces scores of charges in…

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Finland to sign defence pact with US

By Anne Kauranen and Essi Lehto HELSINKI, (Reuters) - Finland will on Monday Dec. 18 sign a defence cooperation agreement with the United States, the Finnish government said this week,…

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Italy toughens rules on video-sharing platforms to protect minors

Italy's communication watchdog AGCOM has approved new rules enabling it to order online video-sharing platforms to remove "harmful content" to protect minors and consumers in the country, it said. The…

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Bosnian cities top world air pollution charts but no quick fix in sight

Bosnian towns have topped the world air pollution charts since last weekend, with the capital Sarajevo declaring an air quality warning and experts blaming residential solid fuel burning and transportation…

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Italian food historian cooks up carbonara controversy

By Francesca Piscioneri Food is a serious business in Italy, part of the national identity, as illustrated by a row that has broken out over how to make carbonara pasta…

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Serbian ruling party faces snap Sunday vote after outrage over shootings

By Ivana Sekularac and Aleksandar Vasovic Poll sees President Vucic's SNS party as frontrunners He conducts folksy campaign after mass shootings shake grip on power Opposition accuses SNS of pressuring,…

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Malta News Briefing – Sunday 17 November 2023

Morning Briefing Sicily by Car offices raided in fraud investigation Officers from the financial crime unit conducted a raid on the Sicily by Car rental franchise as part of an…

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Spain sees record December temperatures

Temperatures across Spain smashed records for December as a mass of hot air swept over the Iberian Peninsula this week, pushing the mercury close to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit)…

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Arctic warming threatens wider world with rising seas – US report

By Timothy Gardner and Daniel Trotta The Arctic experienced the warmest summer on record this year, contributing to extraordinary wildfires and melting glaciers while threatening the rest of the world…

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Muhammed and Lily top popular UK baby names chart

For the boys, Muhammed remains a consistent favourite amongst parents, and shows no signs of falling from first place position. Non-movers Noah, Theo, Leo and Oliver also refused to budge,…

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US Aircraft Carrier to Remain in Mediterranean

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and one other warship to remain in the Mediterranean Sea for several more weeks to maintain a…

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EU troublemaker Orban victorious at home, isolated in Brussels

By Krisztina Than and Andrew Gray Hungary's Viktor Orban was quick to get on the airwaves at home on Friday, telling Hungarians how he vetoed financial aid to Ukraine and…

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EU Most Wanted drug trafficker arrested in Bosnia

Law enforcement authorities from Bosnia and Herzegovina, supported by Europol, have arrested a fugitive featured on the EU Most Wanted list. The suspect, who held nationalities from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

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Russia to test launch seven intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2024

MOSCOW, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Russia plans to test launch seven intercontinental ballistic missiles in 2024, Sergei Karakayev, the commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces has said, the Interfax news…

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Don’t prevent Communion for single mothers says Vatican

Priests should not prevent single mothers from taking Communion, the Vatican said this week. "The fact of being a girl mother does not prevent access to the Eucharist" and "one…

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U.S. intelligence assesses Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 casualties

A declassified U.S. intelligence report assessed that the Ukraine war has cost Russia 315,000 dead and injured troops, or nearly 90% of the personnel it had when the conflict began,…

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UK shoots down suspected drone targeting commercial shipping in Red Sea

LONDON, Dec 16 (Reuters) - British defence minister Grant Shapps said on Saturday that a navy ship HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping in the…

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Putin to run for president as an independent candidate – RIA cites senior politicians

MOSCOW, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Vladimir Putin will run for president again as an independent candidate with a wide support base but not on a party ticket, the state-backed RIA…

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UPDATED: Israeli hostages killed mistakenly in Gaza were holding white flag

JERUSALEM, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Three Israeli hostages killed mistakenly in Gaza by Israeli forces had been holding up a white flag, according to an initial inquiry into the incident,…

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UPDATED: Yemen’s Houthis say they attacked Israeli resort of Eilat, Egypt shoots down drone near Dahab

DUBAI, Dec 16 (Reuters) - A spokesman for Yemen's Iranian-allied Houthis said the group had attacked the Israeli Red Sea resort city of Eilat on Saturday with a swarm of…

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UPDATED: Mossad chief Barnea expected to meet with Qatari PM in Norway

Dec 16 (Reuters) - Israeli and Qatari officials were set to meet in Norway on Saturday in an effort to revive talks about the release of hostages held in Gaza…

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Mexican president urges Argentines to peacefully resist Milei

Mexico's leftist leader recommended that Argentines peacefully protest the new government of radical libertarian President Javier Milei, who took office last week promising deep budget cuts in a bid to…

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UPDATED: Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf dies, Sheikh Meshal named as successor

By Ahmed Hagagy KUWAIT, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday, aged 86, according to the royal court, just over three years after assuming…

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Hamas turns Gaza streets into deadly maze for Israeli troops

Bid to destroy Hamas sends Israel deeper into Gaza Munitions made in Gaza give Hamas bigger stockpile Tunnel network remains a challenge, says expert Israel's Netanyahu vows war until 'absolute…

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Iran executes agent of Israel’s Mossad intelligence service

Dec 16 (Reuters) - An agent of Israel's Mossad intelligence service was executed on Saturday in Iran's southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, the official IRNA news agency reported. "This person communicated with…

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Cardinal, nine other defendants, await verdicts at Vatican trial

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY, Dec 16 (Reuters) - A two-and-a-half year corruption trial that exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest echelons of the Vatican closes on Saturday with…

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Europe must rearm as new threats loom, German minister says

BERLIN, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Europe must race to ensure it can better defend itself as new military threats could emerge by the end of the decade even as the…

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Argentina’s economy enters recession

BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) - Argentina's economic activity shrank 0.80% in the third quarter from the year-earlier period, the country's statistics agency said , missing analysts' forecast of a 0.70% contraction…

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Lufthansa to resume flights to Tel Aviv, US airlines remain on hold

(Reuters) - Lufthansa will resume flights to Tel Aviv starting Jan. 8, the airline said , making it the one of the first major international carriers to announce a resumption…

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Ukraine puts head of Russian church on “wanted” list

Ukraine's Interior Ministry on Friday placed the head of Russia's Orthodox Church, a backer of the Kremlin's 21-month-old war against Kyiv, on a wanted list after security services accused him…

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Warship rushes in to investigate suspected pirate attack on Maltese-flagged commercial vessel off Somalia

By Jonathan Saul LONDON, (Reuters) - A Spanish navy ship is sailing at full speed towards a Maltese-flagged commercial vessel that may have been hijacked by pirates off Somalia, the…

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Australia swelters through heat wave as firefighters battle bushfires

SYDNEY, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Large parts of Australia on Saturday sweltered under heat wave conditions that prompted the nation's weather forecaster to issue bush fire warnings in several states.…

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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 16 December 2023

Morning Briefing Government to buy five properties used by band clubs The government is moving forward with plans to acquire an additional five properties as part of its initiative to…

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Foreign multinationals in Ireland shed jobs for first time since 2009

Employment at foreign multinational companies in Ireland fell by 0.3% in the year to end-October in the first annual decline since 2009 as tech layoffs offset jobs growth in every…

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Germany lifts government borrowing ban for 2023 amid budget chaos

The lower house of Germany's parliament approved on Friday the 2023 supplementary budget, with the suspension of a self-imposed cap on borrowing after a constitutional court ruling last month tore…

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GDP expected to grow at more moderate pace -CBM / Malta News Briefing – Friday 15 December 2023

Updated1300 GDP expected to grow at more moderate pace -CBMMalta's GDP is anticipated to experience a growth of3.8% in 2024, slightly decreasing to 3.6% in 2025 and further to 3.3%…

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White House in ‘intensive’ talks with Israel on next phase of Gaza war, aide says

Washington is pushing Israel to focus the war in Gaza on precise targeting of Hamas leaders rather than widespread bombing and ground operations, the White House national security adviser said…

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Scientists see risk of lost opportunity for long COVID research in China

By Andrew Silver SHANGHAI, (Reuters) - With more than a full year past since China eased restrictions and let COVID-19 sweep its households, scientists are worried a unique opportunity may…

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