News

Vatican eases rules on the ashes of the dead

A small part of a dead person's cremated ashes may be stored in a place that was dear to them rather than in a church or cemetery, the Vatican said…

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Chinese forces approached close to Taiwan coast to ‘intimidate’ voters before key elections – sources

By Yimou Lee TAIPEI, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's military drove away four attempts by Chinese forces to approach the island's sensitive contiguous zone last month, Taiwan security officials said,…

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UPDATED: 53 injured as Russian ballistic missiles target Kyiv -Ukraine

By Sergiy Karazy and Valentyn Ogirenko KYIV, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Russia's second missile assault on Kyiv this week injured at least 53 people, damaging homes and a children's hospital,…

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US issues sweeping sanctions targeting Russia over Ukraine war

By Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis and Timothy Gardner WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on hundreds of people and entities, including in China, Turkey and the…

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13

Dec

UPDATED: Nations strike deal at COP28 to transition away from fossil fuels

By Valerie Volcovici, Gloria Dickie and William James Representatives from nearly 200 countries agreed at the COP28 climate summit on Wednesday to begin reducing global consumption of fossil fuels to…

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Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 13 December 2023

Morning Briefing Court rules against release of site next to Miriam Pace's collapsed house A court ruling on Tuesday barred the release of a site—where excavation led to a fatal…

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Moscow says EU will not succeed in curbing Russian gas imports

Any plan by the European Union to give its member states the power to halt gas imports from Russia will not succeed and will not damage the Russian economy, foreign…

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Israel assaults southern Gaza as hunger tightens grip

Israeli tanks and warplanes carried out new strikes on southern Gaza on Tuesday, and the U.N. said aid flows to Palestinians facing growing hunger had largely dried up because of…

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UK lenders face smaller impact from Basel rules than rivals, BoE says

The Bank of England said on Tuesday that implementing the final leg of the global Basel bank rules will increase capital requirements at UK banks by 3%, far less than…

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Georgia eyes EU candidate status but membership still a distant dream

While Ukraine's hopes of beginning membership talks will take centre-stage at this week's European Union summit, another potential member, Georgia, will also be seeking progress towards eventual entry to the…

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French lower house rejects Macron’s immigration bill

French lawmakers sent the government's immigration bill back to the drawing board on Monday in a surprise move that cut short debates at the lower house and dealt a blow…

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Donald Tusk appointed Polish PM, setting stage for warmer EU ties

Poland's parliament backed Donald Tusk to become prime minister on Monday, ending eight years of nationalist rule and putting the country on track for a thawing of relations with the European…

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White House warns of democracy threat after Trump repeats dictator remark

U.S. President Joe Biden has been working to guard against the "unprecedented threats" facing American democracy, a White House official said on Monday, responding to Donald Trump's comments that he…

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Zelenskiy, in Washington, says he hopes he can count on US as aid at risk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told a U.S. military audience on Monday that he hoped he can still count on the United States as he started a critical visit to Washington…

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Whooping cough cases increasing in the UK

You may have read recent alarming reports of a cough that “lasts 100 days” is “quickly spreading across the UK” and can “fracture ribs”. If you didn’t look beyond the…

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Key challenges facing Putin if he gets a new six-year term

By Mark Trevelyan Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will seek another six years in the Kremlin by standing in an election in March where his victory is widely…

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Paris’ Louvre museum to hike ticket prices by 29%

The Louvre art museum in Paris will hike its basic entrance fee next year by 29%, adding to concerns that visitors coming to Paris for next year's Olympic Games will…

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Navalny’s team says he has vanished in Russia’s prison system

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been removed from the penal colony where he had been imprisoned since the middle of last year and his current whereabouts are unknown, his…

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UN General Assembly likely to vote Tuesday on Gaza ceasefire demand – diplomats

(Reuters) - The 193-member United Nations General Assembly is likely to vote Tuesday on a draft resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants…

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Yemen’s Houthis warn they will target all ships headed to Israel

By Mohammed Alghobari Yemen's Houthi movement said they would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.…

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US flags early 2024 for new rule targeting real estate money laundering

The U.S. Treasury Department on Monday said its Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) unit is planning to propose a long-awaited rule aimed at curbing money laundering in real estate in…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 12 December 2023

Updated 1240 Opposition takes State Advocate to court over inaction on Vitals deal On Tuesday, the Oppositionbrought the State Advocate to court, contending that he must recover the embezzled funds…

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Snowfall shrouds north China in prelude to even colder weather

BEIJING, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The first snowfall of winter arrived in Beijing early Monday, covering the Chinese capital with a mantle of white overnight and plunging the city into…

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Israel says it helped foil Iranian-ordered attack on Israelis in Cyprus

JERUSALEM/NICOSIA, (Reuters) - Israel helped Cyprus foil an Iranian-ordered attack against Israelis and Jews on the island, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said , saying such plots were on…

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‘Putin is vulnerable’: Navalny camp to tap voter concerns on war and economy

Opposition sees 100-day campaign as window of opportunity Volunteers to hit voters with cold-calls and online posts Navalny camp says Putin will win but he is vulnerable By Mark Trevelyan…

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Rohingya face rejection in Indonesia after surge of boat arrivals

By Hidayatullah Tahjuddin and Stanley Widianto PIDIE, Indonesia, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Myanmar's Rohingya face a wave of hostility and rejection in Indonesia, where regional communities say they are fed…

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Iranian foreign minister says neither Iran nor Israel believe in a two state solution

DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The only thing Iran and Israel share is that both do not believe in a two-state solution, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Monday…

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Spain’s foreign minister says Gibraltar deal hinges on use of airport

A deal over the post-Brexit status of the British territory of Gibraltar depends on agreement over use of the airport, Spain's foreign minister, Jose Manuel Albares, said in an interview.…

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EU must accept there won’t be a united Cyprus, Turkish Cypriot leader says

The EU is missing the point with cycles of diplomacy focused on a federal unification of Cyprus and has to accept a two-state solution on the divided island, Turkish Cypriot…

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India’s top court upholds end of special status for Kashmir, orders polls

By Arpan Chaturvedi and YP Rajesh NEW DELHI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - India's Supreme Court upheld on Monday a 2019 decision by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to…

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Gunman kills two in Swiss alpine town, police launch manhunt

SION, Switzerland, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Police launched a manhunt after a shooter killed two people and wounded a third in the Swiss Alpine town of Sion early on Monday.…

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UN marks 75 years of human rights declaration in shadow of Gaza

By Emma Farge GENEVA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The U.N. human rights chief urged countries on Monday to work together to defeat threats such as war and pollution at an…

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Commonwealth boss warns of mass migration unless climate cash delivered

'Direct correlation' between climate and migration Richer countries need to increase adaptation funding Urges more ambition on loss and damage fund By Simon Jessop and Mohammed Benmansour DUBAI, Dec 11…

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Ukraine says no green light for EU membership talks would be ‘devastating’

By Gabriela Baczynska and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday it would be "devastating" for Kyiv and the European Union if…

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Austria makes conditional ‘Air Schengen’ offer to Bulgaria, Romania

VIENNA, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Austria, which has led opposition within the European Union to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen open-travel area, said on Monday it was willing to…

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Argentine President Milei warns economic shock unavoidable in maiden speech

By Nicolás Misculin and Candelaria Grimberg BUENOS AIRES, (Reuters) - Argentina libertarian economist Javier Milei took office on Sunday warning in his maiden speech that he had no alternative to…

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UK to transfer two minehunters to Ukraine as it launches maritime support plan

LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it would transfer two Royal Navy minehunter ships to the Ukrainian Navy, as it sets up a new maritime defence coalition…

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COP28 enters crunch time with countries at odds over fossil fuels

By Kate Abnett, Valerie Volcovici and David Stanway DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - With the COP28 climate talks entering crunch time on Monday, U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell urged countries…

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All eyes on Polish parliament as Tusk set to become PM

By Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz ARSAW, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Former European Council President Donald Tusk is expected to be appointed prime minister of Poland on Monday, during a…

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What to watch at COP28 on Monday

DUBAI, Dec 11 (Reuters) - After being told by COP28 President Sultan al-Jaber to not "let me down", the almost 200 nations at the U.N. climate summit will be wrestling…

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UK PM Sunak battles to unite divided party in pivotal week

Government faces parliament battle over Rwanda plan Policy threatens to splinter party in Brexit-style divide Prime minister to defend reputation at COVID-19 inquiry By Andrew MacAskill LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters)…

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Australia plans to halve migrant intake, tighten student visa rules

By Renju Jose SYDNEY, Dec 11 (Reuters) - Australia on Monday said it would tighten visa rules for international students and low-skilled workers that could halve its migrant intake over…

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Slovak FinMin: we are on Greek path in terms of rising debt

(Reuters) - Slovakia is on a Greek path in terms of rising debt and interest rates and turning the trend will be tough, the country's new finance minister Ladislav Kamenicky…

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Biden invites Zelenskiy to White House for Dec 12 meeting

WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden has invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to a meeting at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing war against…

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Russians banned from travel to hand over passports within five days -decree

Dec 11 (Reuters) - Russians who have been banned from travelling abroad will have to hand over their passports to authorities within five days after being notified, according to a…

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UK creates unit to clamp down on companies evading Russian sanctions

LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - The British government said on Monday it was creating an enforcement unit to increase its power to crack down on companies evading Russian sanctions. The…

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Malta News Briefing – Monday 11 December 2023

Morning Briefing PN to take legal action to recover "stolen millions" Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and PN MP Adrian Delia have declared their intention to take legal action to recover…

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UPDATED: Gazans say hunger is growing, fuelling fears of exodus into Egypt

Gazans describe widespread hunger, chaos Germany urges Israel to change tactics to protect civilians Hamas armed wing says it hit Israeli tanks, forces in Khan Younis By Bassam Masoud and…

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Malta News Briefing – Sunday 10 December 2023

Morning Briefing Malta expresses concern on Irish gambling bill According to the Irish Times, Malta has raised concerns about specific parts of a proposed Irish legislation that it believes jeopardize…

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Egypt’s presidential election: Who are the candidates?

Egypt will hold a presidential election on Dec. 10-12 in which Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is set to sweep to a third term in a vote overshadowed by the war in…

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When is 2024 Russian election?

Russia will hold a presidential election on March 17, 2024 at which President Vladimir Putin is going to run for another term that could keep him in power until at…

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How climate change is making the world sick

By Gloria Dickie Heat stress. Lung damage from wildfire smoke. The spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes into new regions as temperatures rise. These are just a few of the ways that…

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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 9 December 2023

Morning Briefing Maltese students score below averge in Maths, Reading and Science In the most recent PISA evaluation of 15-year-olds, students in Malta scored below the OECD average across mathematics,…

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Cyprus sees growth next year despite headwinds-minister

NICOSIA, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Cyprus's economy is expected to expand by around 2.9% in 2024 from a forecast 2.4% this year, its finance minister said on Friday, despite facing…

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China issues action plan to improve air quality

BEIJING (Reuters) - China will "strictly and reasonably" control total coal use and curb high-emissions projects to improve air quality, China's state council said in an action plan released .…

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Some 40% of cars in Italy are over 15 years old

Around four out of 10 of the cars on Italy's roads are over 15 years old, according to a study released by motoring association ACI and the Caracciolo Foundation. The…

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Global warming threshold could be hit temporarily in 2024-UK’s Met Office

By Nina Chestney LONDON, Dec 8 (Reuters) - Global average temperature could temporarily cross a 1.5-degree Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) threshold next year, Britain's Met Office said on Friday, a milestone…

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