News

Trump’s see-saw immigration policy creates confusion in The House of Representatives

The New York Times: Conflicting messages from President Trump and his aides over whether he would support a compromise immigration bill sent House Republicans into fits of confusion on Friday, further…

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‘Abortion of sick children is a Nazi technique but done using white gloves’ Pope Francis

Vatican City: A world guided by self-centred logic has lost the sense of stable bonds. This makes it difficult to understand the value of the family. Civil institutions should rather…

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New Anti-Terrorist barricades around the iconic Eiffel Tower

Euronews: Paris is erecting bulletproof walls and metal fences around the Eiffel Tower in a move aimed at protecting the famous monument from terrorist attacks. Glass walls measuring 6.5 centimetres thick…

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US President Trump rants about FBI and former Director James Comey in a show of strength

The New York Times WASHINGTON — He assailed the “scum on top” of the F.B.I. who were out to get him. He suggested that a former aide did not lie…

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Spain doesn’t rule out sending back Aquarius Rescue Vessel

The Local (Espana) Spain will treat the hundreds of migrants who are to arrive Sunday on board the Aquarius rescue vessel "totally normally", the government said Friday, meaning some could…

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UK McDonald’s to bring an end to plastic straws

The Guardian: McDonald’s will end the use of plastic straws in its British restaurants next year, after nearly half a million people called on the company to ditch them. The…

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Taliban Leader and Pakistan’s most wanted militant blamed for Malala shooting in 2012, killed in US Airstrike

Euronews: PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The leader of the Pakistani Taliban was killed by a U.S. drone strike, an Afghan official said Friday. Mullah Fazlullah Khorasani was Pakistan's most-wanted militant and…

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Italian and Maltese Foreign Affairs Ministers meet following migration clash

The Malta Independent: The Italian and Maltese foreign ministers met following a clash over a migrant rescue boat that escalated into a European-wide showdown. The Italian foreign ministry said that Italy's…

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Flames rip Glasgow’s world renowned School of Art, again.

BBC: Glasgow's world-renowned School of Art has been gutted by another huge blaze, four years after part of the building was destroyed by fire. Flames ripped through the celebrated Mackintosh…

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CDU senior leaders close ranks around Merkel, as Chancellor faces revolt

FT: Senior leaders of Germany’s ruling Christian Democratic Union sought to close ranks around Angela Merkel on Friday as the chancellor continued her high-stakes feud with the CDU’s Bavarian sister…

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22 Maltese Young People Receive “DUKE OF EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL GOLD” AWARD

The Gold Award has been awarded to 22 young people who successfully completed the five stages in The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The ceremony was held at San Anton…

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US: Federal Judge revokes Manafort’s bail

New York Times: A federal judge revoked Paul Manafort’s bail and sent him to jail on Friday to await trial, citing new charges that Mr. Manafort had tried to influence the testimony of…

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China unfolds new retaliatory tariffs on US

CNBC: In a quick response to U.S. tariffs, Beijing announced on Friday its own duties on American products, including the politically sensitive areas of agriculture products and automobiles. The Chinese…

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US – China Tariff war is on

US President Donald Trump is to impose 25% tariffs on $50bn worth of Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of intellectual copyright theft. Tariffs that affect more than 800 products worth $34bn…

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US President to call North Korean Leader

Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to call North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Sunday, following their summit in Singapore this week. “I’m going to be…

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Tory MP Sir Christopher Chope blocks proposed upskirting law to cries of ‘shame’

Sky News: A proposed law to make upskirting a specific criminal offence has been blocked by a Tory MP. The Voyeurism (Offences) Bill was stopped in its tracks when Christchurch…

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Is another Boko Haram or al-Shabaab erupting in Mozambique?

The Institute for Security Studies: A sudden upsurge in brutal violence in northern Mozambique, including the beheadings of women and children, has sounded alarms that a violent jihadist movement like Boko…

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Dutch employees might soon be paid for using pedal-power

France 24 Dutch employees using pedal power to get to work may soon be reimbursed for their efforts, as the Netherlands look at ways to fight ever-growing congestion on its…

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In Germany, CDU deny report on mediation for migration policy compromise with CSU

DW: Members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats have denied a report that Wolfgang Schäuble was asked to step in and mediate a migration policy compromise with the Bavarian CSU. Politicians…

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Valid Schengen-area passport required for bathers in Levsos, in an effort to bar migrants

Greek Reporter: A popular beach on the Greek island of Lesvos is refusing entry to bathers without a valid Schengen-area passport, in an apparent effort to bar migrants. Local site lesvosnews.net published photos…

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Greece’s neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party banned after one of its MPs called for military coup

Euronews: Greece’s neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party has been temporarily banned from parliamentary proceedings after one of its MPs called for the military to overthrow the government. The controversial comments came during…

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U.S. forces in coordination with the Libyan government carry airstrike against al Qaeda affiliates in Libya

Reuters: U.S. forces working in coordination with the Libyan government carried out an air strike against an al Qaeda affiliate group southeast of Bani Walid this week, killing one fighter, U.S.…

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Ronaldo accepts two-year prison sentence

Euronews: Cristiano Ronaldo has accepted a two-year prison sentence and €18.8 million fine for tax evasion, reported El Mundo on Friday. The report came out just hours before rivals Spain and…

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Suspected people trafficker arrested in Cyprus

Ekathimerini.com : Cypriot police say they have arrested the 49-year-old driver of a boat that brought 61 Syrian migrants to the east Mediterranean island nation. Police spokesman Andreas Angelides said the…

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Italy and France declare it is possible to agree several issues

ANSA: French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday that he agreed with Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte over issues including migrants and the euro after the leaders met for talks in Paris.…

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New Brexit blueprint amendments respect public’s desire to leave the EU

Reuters: Prime Minister Theresa May’s government’s new amendment to her Brexit blueprint on giving parliament a greater role on the exit process respects the public’s desire to leave the European Union,…

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Greek Parliament debates motion of no confidence against government on Macedonia deal

Greek Reporter: The Greek parliament is debating a motion of no confidence against the government tabled by the main opposition New Democracy party as hundreds protested outside against the provisional deal…

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Belgian mayor invites Orban to migrant-diverse town

EU Observer - The mayor of a Belgian town with reportedly more Muslims than Slovakia and Hungary combined wants Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, to visit. Mechelen mayor Bart Somers said…

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UK launches new ‘start-up’ visa for entrepreneurs

Silicon: The UK has launched a new “start-up” visa for entrepreneurs, in response to criticism from the tech sector over the effects of its restrictive immigration policies. Launched during London Tech Week, the…

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Trump to impose tariffs on imports from China

CNN/ Financial Times – President Donald Trump has given his approval for the United States to put tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese exports, according to a source with knowledge of the…

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Libya’s NOC declares force majeure on Ras Lanuf and Sidra oil terminals

Libya Observer The National Oil Corporation in Libya (NOC) has declared a force majeure on Ras Lanuf and Sidra and evacuated its staffers from the two oil terminals for fear for…

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Money laundering, the IIP scheme, Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder and other related issues under the EU lens during Commisioner Jourová’s visit to Malta

The following dispatch is based on reports from The Times, The Malta Independent, & MaltaToday and Politico. European Commissioner for Justice Vĕra Jourová said there were gaps in Malta's implementation…

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Comey Cited as ‘Insubordinate,’ but Report Finds No Bias in F.B.I. Decision to Clear Clinton

NY Times The former F.B.I. director James B. Comey was “insubordinate” in his handling of the investigation of Hillary Clinton during the 2016 presidential election, a critical Justice Department report…

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Conte to meet Macron

The Local: French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to resolve tensions with Italy on Thursday, saying he never meant to cause offense by criticising its rejection of a migrant ship in…

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The World Cup and Russia – Power and beyond

AP - ANGELA CHARLTON Russian President Vladimir Putin claims soccer and politics have nothing to do with each other, yet the World Cup he kicked off Thursday is about much…

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N.Y. Attorney General Sues Trump Foundation Over Self-Dealing

New York Times : The New York State attorney general’s office filed a scathingly worded lawsuit on Thursday taking aim at the Donald J. Trump Foundation, accusing the charity and…

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Mother and Child on board Aquarius

This photo was taken by journalist Sara Alonso Esparza this morning on the MV Aquarius.

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Turkey’s Erdogan threatens Moody

Financial Times: Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to conduct an “operation” against Moody’s, less than two weeks after the ratings company placed Turkey on review for a downgrade, state-run media reported.…

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Report on FBI’s handling of Clinton’s email investigation to be published

AP: The Justice Department’s internal watchdog is expected to criticise the FBI’s handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation, stepping into a political minefield while examining how a determinedly nonpartisan law…

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North Korea state media airs unseen video from Trump-Kim summit

CNN: Images of hundreds of North Koreans jubilantly clapping and waving flags as Kim Jong Un landed in Pyongyang Wednesday have been broadcast across the reclusive country as part of a…

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ACCA and MIA hold joint conference about future challenges for the accountancy profession

Current and future issues facing the accountancy profession will be the main focus at the annual joint conference organised by the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the…

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Sylvester Stallone subject of sex crimes investigation

Variety: The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office is reviewing a criminal case from the Santa Monica Police Department involving Sylvester Stallone to determine whether charges will be filed, a spokesman confirmed Wednesday. The spokesman declined…

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Aquarius changes route and heads towards Sardegna because of the rough seas

"Dattilo, the Italian Coast Guard ship that guides our convoy, has decided to change course », Sos Mediterranee communicated in a tweet, underlining that this is a decision made due…

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10th edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza officially launched

The 10th edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched earlier today. The 53-hour long marathon will kick off on Friday 29th June at 18.30…

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British woman and boyfriend fall to deaths ‘taking selfie’ in Portugal

Sky News: A British woman and her Australian partner have fallen to their deaths while taking a selfie on a wall at a beach in Portugal, according to reports. Louise Benson…

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Nine arrested over involvement in corruption related to the AS Roma proposed new stadium

The Local: Nine people involved in the construction project for Serie A club AS Roma's proposed new stadium were arrested on Wednesday, including the owner of the company contracted to…

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Don’t have sex with men from ‘different race’ during World Cup, warns Russian politician

The Guardian: Russian women should avoid sex with non-white foreign men during the football World Cup because they could become single mothers to mixed-race children, a senior lawmaker in Moscow…

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Georgian Prime Minister resigns

The Republic of Georgia’s Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, 50, resigned Wednesday amid a disagreement with Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of the ruling Georgian Dream party. “Different points of view have been…

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Merlin Publishers launch Maria Grech Ganado’s FRAMED, a collection of incisive, poignant poetry

In the movie Dead Poets Society, the charismatic teacher, John Keating tells his students: "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we…

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Spain’s culture and sports minister steps down following reports that he had been fined for evading tax

Politico: Màxim Huerta stepped down as Spain’s culture and sports minister today after a week in office, following reports that he had been fined for evading hundred of thousands of euros…

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Pep Guardiola pays for release of migrant rescue boat

The Manchester City coach reached deep into his own pockets to pay the fees to release Spanish NGO Proactive Open Arms rescue boat after it was impounded by Italian authorities,…

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Is North Korea no longer a nuclear threat?

AP: America and the world can "sleep well tonight," President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday, boasting that his summit with Kim Jong Un had ended any nuclear threat from North…

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United Nations condemn Israel for using “excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate” force in Gaza

The United Nations overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution on Wednesday condemning Israel for using "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate" force in Gaza following several fatal clashes along Israel's border…

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Poland will face disciplinary hearing on rule-of-law dispute with EU

Politico: EU ministers will hold a hearing on Poland’s alleged rule-of-law violations later this month, pushing forward with a disciplinary process that Warsaw insists is unjustified. The decision by EU diplomats…

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Brother-in-law to King Felipe VI of Spain ordered to report to prison in five days

ElPais : A court in Palma de Mallorca has given Iñaki Urdangarin, brother-in-law to King Felipe VI of Spain, five days to report to the penitentiary of his choice to serve…

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Maltese Government to Italian Minister Toninelli: “Baseless and frivolous attempt to try to impinge on the sovereignty of a neighbouring country”

MaltaToday: The Maltese government described a statement by Italian Infrastructure Minister Danilo Toninelli, who hails from the Movimento Cinque Stelle as 'a baseless and frivolous attempt to try to impinge on the…

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According to EU Commission, Malta acted according to international rules

The Malta Independent : EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker told Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that according to the Commission’s appraisal, Malta behaved according to international rules in the Aquarius case.…

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