News

Far-right eyes breakthrough in French municipal elections

France’s far-right National Rally is under pressure to secure a strong showing in municipal elections starting Sunday, widely seen as a key test of the party’s prospects ahead of next…

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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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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 7 March 2026

Morning Briefing Wealth Soars but Gap WidensA new Central Bank study reveals that household wealth in Malta has nearly doubled over the past 13 years, with median net wealth rising…

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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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12 members of money laundering scheme exploiting Ukrainian women arrested in Spain

An international operation in Spain targeting a money laundering scheme resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects. The disrupted criminal network systematically exploited vulnerable Ukrainian women to open bank accounts,…

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Syria opens Mediterranean-Aleppo air corridor that could help ease regional snarl

Syria has opened a newly reactivated air corridor from the northern city of Aleppo toward the Mediterranean Sea for use by foreign airlines as well as its national carrier, the…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Friday 6 March 2026

Updated 1210 Malta Maritime Sector Urges EU Rethink on Emissions Tax Rules: The Malta Maritime Forum has called on Maltese MEPs in Brussels to push for changes to EU emissions…

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Kosovo president dissolves parliament, calls snap election after failed presidential vote

Kosovo's President Vjosa Osmani on Friday dissolved parliament and called snap elections after lawmakers failed to elect a new head of state within a constitutional deadline. The parliament ‌had until…

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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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International crackdown dismantles sprawling drug network spanning Europe, Asia and Australia

An international law-enforcement operation has dismantled key parts of a sprawling drug trafficking and money-laundering network operating across Europe, Asia and Australia, after investigators unlocked crucial data from two mobile…

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EU Emissions Rules Threaten Malta’s Maritime Hub, Forum Warns MEPs

The Malta Maritime Forum presented compelling data at the European Parliament in Brussels, showing how EU regulations on maritime transport are driving up costs and undermining Malta’s connectivity. The discussion,…

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Macron asks Netanyahu to ‘refrain from a ground offensive’ in Lebanon

Emmanuel Macron said he asked Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from launching a ground offensive in Lebanon during a phone call between the two leaders. Macron said he also held talks…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 5 March 2026

Updated 1120 Malta Arranges Special Flight to Repatriate Citizens from UAE: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg said Malta is organising a special private flight from Dubai…

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Iranian drones strike airport terminal in Azerbaijan

At least two people were injured after three Iranian drones targeted the passenger terminal at Nakhchivan International Airport on Thursday, according to Azerbaijan authorities. Officials said one drone struck the…

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Swedish fighter jets patrol Iceland in show of force over Arctic

For the first time, Swedish fighter jets are patrolling Iceland’s airspace as part of NATO’s “Arctic Sentry” mission, signalling the alliance’s commitment to protecting the Arctic amid rising tensions with…

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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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China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system

China has announced plans to build a “childbirth-friendly society” over the next five years as it attempts to tackle its declining birth rate and rapidly ageing population. According to a…

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Impact of Iran Conflict on Malta’s Geopolitical Landscape

As the war involving Iran continues to evolve, much of the international attention remains focused on the Middle East itself. Airstrikes, missile exchanges and regional retaliations have dominated headlines from…

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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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Al Fayed abuse should be investigated as human trafficking, says former senior Met officer

A former senior Metropolitan Police officer has urged investigators to widen their probe into allegations of rape and sexual abuse by former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed to include human…

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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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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 4 March 2026

Updated 1100 Parliament Approves Random Drug Testing and Tougher Road PenaltiesParliament has unanimously approved legal amendments allowing police to carry out random roadside drug tests for the first time, without…

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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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Britain to bar study visas for four nations, halt Afghan work visas

Britain said on Tuesday it would block study visas ‌for nationals from four countries and halt work visas for Afghans, using what it called an "emergency brake" to curb rising…

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Focal Maritime Services awarded certification to transport live animals by airfreight

Focal Maritime Services has been officially certified to provide specialised airfreight services for live animals. Transporting live animals requires meticulous planning, strict adherence to regulatory requirements and expertise in handling…

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World’s money launderers are shifting to crypto

Western governments are being urged to clamp down on cryptocurrency as new research suggests $350 billion has been laundered by criminals and hostile states using the technology in the past…

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UK Weighs Naval Protection as France Bolsters Cyprus Defences

Britain has yet to decide whether it will deploy a warship to protect its Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, following a drone strike that hit the…

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IAEA confirms damage to Iran’s Natanz nuclear site

Entrances to Iran's underground and previously bombed uranium-enrichment plant at Natanz ‌have been struck as part of the U.S.-Israeli military attacks on the country, the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed on…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 3 March 2026

Updated 1215 €11 Million Deficit Sparks Going-Concern Warning at University of Malta: The University of Malta posted a €11.17 million deficit in 2023, with liabilities exceeding assets by nearly €19…

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Ukraine to complete preparation in days to start EU accession talks, Zelenskiy says

Ukraine will complete the technical work needed to open negotiations on all topics for its European Union ‌accession process within days, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy reiterated his call on…

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Intelligence assessment warns of Iranian attacks on US following Khamenei’s death

Iran and its proxies could target the U.S. with attacks in response to the Saturday ‌killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israeli and U.S. strikes, according to a…

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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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Friendly fire losses in Kuwait and combat deaths mark escalating risks in U.S.-led operation against Iran

Three U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during active combat operations, as the United States also confirmed combat fatalities and serious injuries elsewhere…

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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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France is ready to help Gulf countries targeted by Iran

France is ready to help Gulf countries targeted by Iranian retaliatory strikes, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday, adding that the Israeli and U.S. initial strikes against Iran should…

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Updated Malta News Briefing – Monday 2 March 2026

Updated 1225 EPPO Probes €253 Million in Suspected EU Fraud Cases in Malta: The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is investigating 17 cases in Malta involving an estimated €253.5 million…

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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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Oil prices set for swings next week as US-Israel strikes raise supply uncertainty

Oil markets currently closed for the weekend are set to see price swings next week as the impact from the U.S. and Israeli strikes on oil supplies from the Middle…

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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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Flights Halted Across Middle East, Thousands Left Stranded in Widening Crisis

The attack on Iran by the United States and Israel disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturday as countries around the region closed their airspace and key airports…

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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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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 28 February 2026

Morning Briefing Government Debt Climbs Despite Narrower DeficitMalta’s consolidated fund recorded a deficit of €151.7 million by the end of January 2026, an improvement on last year’s figure. Higher recurrent…

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Rían, Lily most popular baby names in Ireland last year

Rían was the most popular name in Ireland for boys, while Lily was the most popular girls' name last year, according to statistics from the Irish CSO. The top five…

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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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Malaysia police launch probe into alleged plot to topple government

Malaysia's top police official said on Friday authorities were investigating an alleged conspiracy to "topple the government and sabotage national stability". Malaysia’s police have launched an investigation into an alleged…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Friday 27 February 2026

Updated 1300 DIER Recovers €1.5m in Unpaid Wages After 1,000 Investigations: Malta’s workers’ rights watchdog recovered nearly €1.5 million in unpaid wages in 2025 following 1,000 investigations, according to the…

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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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Euro zone consumers cut some inflation expectations, ECB survey shows

Euro zone consumers trimmed back some of their inflation expectations last month, even as bets on income growth rose, the European Central Bank's monthly Consumer Expectations Survey showed on Friday.…

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Italy’s ruling parties strike deal on electoral law overhaul

Italy's ruling parties have agreed on a sweeping overhaul of the electoral law, two sources said, a move opposition parties say is designed to keep Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in…

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Embarrassing defeat for UK’s Starmer as Greens seize Labour stronghold

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour suffered an embarrassing election defeat to the left-wing Green Party on Friday in an area of Manchester it had dominated for almost a century, a…

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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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