News

UK homelessness minister resigns over rent hike claims

Britain's minister for homelessness resigned late on Thursday after claims that she evicted tenants from a property she owns and then increased the rent by hundreds of pounds. Rushanara Ali,…

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Israel approves plan to take control of Gaza City

Israel's political-security cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City early on Friday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to take military control of the…

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US offers $50m reward for arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro

The US has doubled a reward for information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to $50m (£37.2m), accusing him of being "one of the largest narco-traffickers in…

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China accuses Philippines of ‘playing with fire’ on Taiwan

China accused the Philippines on Friday of "playing with fire" after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the Southeast Asian nation would be drawn into any conflict between China and the…

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Malta News Briefing – Friday 8 August 2025

Morning Briefing Malta Sees Record-Breaking 1.1 Million Tourists in Q2 2025 A total of 1.1 million tourists visited Malta during the second quarter of 2025, marking a 10.4% increase over…

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Australian Analysis Casts Doubt on Accuracy of Electric Vehicle Range Estimates

A government-funded program to test the true performance of vehicles has found the driving range of five popular electric cars is between 5% and 23% lower than results from laboratory…

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Greece may extend North Africa asylum ban if migrant flow resurges

Greece could extend a suspension on examining asylum applications passed by parliament last month if migrant flows from Libya start rising again, Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said on Thursday. In…

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Santorini Stumbles as Lesser-Known Greek Islands Rise and Demand Greater Control

The summer tourism landscape in Greece is showing signs of a notable shift, as interest in some of the country's most iconic destinations wanes while lesser-known islands gain ground. Foreign…

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Aberdeen to introduce 7% ‘tourist tax’ on visitors

Councillors have given the green light for the introduction of a 7% visitor levy for Aberdeen, Scotland. The "tourist tax" will not come into force until at least April 2027,…

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UPDATED: Kremlin says Putin and Trump will meet in coming days

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump will meet in the coming days, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said on Thursday, in what would be the first summit between…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 7 August 2025

Updated 1200 Attica Bank becomes first EU bidder for HSBC Malta: Attica Bank has become the first foreign EU bank to formally bid for HSBC Malta, with strong backing from…

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Cosmetic Crackdown: New Licensing Rules for UK Botox Providers

The government has announced plans to crack down on dodgy cosmetic practitioners who it says are exploiting people and causing harm. Under the new proposals, only qualified health professionals will…

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South Korea, US to conduct major joint military drills starting August 18

South Korea and the United States will conduct major joint military drills starting on August 18, officials said, although they will delay parts of the annual exercises that have been…

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Switzerland facing 39% US tariff as president leaves Washington empty-handed

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter left Washington empty-handed on Wednesday after a hastily arranged trip to avert a crippling 39% tariff on the country's exports to the United States, its biggest…

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Russian and Chinese navies practice destroying ‘enemy submarine’, days after Trump move

The Russian and Chinese navies have practiced hunting and destroying an enemy submarine in the Sea of Japan, Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday, days after U.S. President Donald Trump…

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France arrests man who lit cigarette from Unknown Soldier memorial flame

A man who lit a cigarette from a memorial flame at a major Paris war monument was arrested on Tuesday, the interior minister said, calling his actions "indecent and pathetic".…

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Pope Leo criticises nuclear deterrence on 80th anniversary of Hiroshima bombing

Pope Leo on Wednesday criticised the "illusory security" of the global nuclear deterrence system, in an appeal on the 80th anniversary of the United States dropping an atomic bomb on…

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Italian Government Approves Plans for Long-Awaited Bridge to Sicily

Italy's Council of Ministers has formally approved a €13.5 billion state-funded infrastructure project to construct what would be the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting mainland Italy to the island of…

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Athens wary of Libya uncertainty

Greece remains wary of mounting instability in Libya, as unconfirmed reports suggest the Libyan parliament in Benghazi may be preparing to ratify the illegal 2019 maritime accord with Turkey. The…

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Nationalist Nawrocki sworn in as Polish president, in blow for Tusk

Karol Nawrocki, a conservative historian and supporter of Donald Trump's MAGA movement, was sworn in as Poland's president on Wednesday, setting the stage for conflict with the centrist government and…

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Improving Russia-US relations will take time, Kremlin tells TASS

Improving relations between Russia and the United States will take time, Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian TASS state news agency in remarks published on Wednesday. "There is, of…

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UK to start implementing migrant returns deal with France

Britain said it will start work within days to implement a deal to return some migrants who arrive on small boats to France, a key part of its plans to…

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Trump suggests Vance is his likely heir apparent in 2028

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Vice President JD Vance is “most likely” his heir apparent to serve as the Republican nominee in 2028, the furthest he has gone in…

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US cancels mRNA vaccine contracts worth $500 million

The US government has decided to halt the funding of 22 projects focused on the development and manufacturing of mRNA-based vaccines that help fight respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and the…

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Hiroshima warns against nuclear weapons as it marks 80 years since A-bomb

Exactly 80 years since an atomic bomb was used in war for the first time, thousands bowed their heads in prayer in Hiroshima on Wednesday, as the city's mayor warned…

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Former Romanian President Iliescu, who led free market transition, dies at 95

Romania's former President Ion Iliescu, who led its transition from communism and set it on the path to European Union and NATO membership, but faced charges of crimes against humanity…

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Epstein partner Maxwell opposes release of her grand jury materials

Ghislaine Maxwell, the former girlfriend of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted in 2021 of helping him sexually abuse teenage girls, said on Tuesday she opposed the U.S.…

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Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 6 August 2025

Morning Briefing Government Cancels €80 Million Mater Dei Tender After Sole Bid Deemed Too CostlyAn €80 million tender to extend Mater Dei Hospital’s emergency department has been cancelled after the…

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British tourist billed for Italian mountain rescue

A British hiker has been charged more than €14,000 (£12,000) by the Italian mountain rescue service after ignoring danger warnings in the Dolomites. The man, aged 60, had to be…

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Putin doubts potency of Trump’s ultimatum to end the war

Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum expiring this Friday from U.S. President Donald Trump, and retains the goal of capturing four regions of Ukraine…

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Israeli cabinet may order complete Gaza takeover

Israel's cabinet could authorise on Tuesday a complete military takeover of Gaza for the first time in two decades, media reported, despite international pressure for a ceasefire to ease appalling…

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Russian Nuclear Submarine Site Potentially Damaged by July Quake

A nuclear submarine base in Russia's remote Far East region was damaged last week following one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the area in decades, the New York…

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Moldova’s pro-Kremlin regional leader jailed in election fraud case

A Moldovan court sentenced pro-Kremlin regional leader Evgenia Gutul on Tuesday to seven years in jail for channelling money from Russia to finance a political party. Gutul, who has strongly…

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Zelenskiy says ‘mercenaries’ from China, Pakistan and other countries fighting for Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Ukrainian troops in northeastern Ukraine were fighting foreign "mercenaries" from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response.…

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Italy arrests 13 people in nationwide raids against Chinese mafia groups

Italian police arrested 13 people following a nationwide sweep against Chinese mafia groups, on charges including involvement in crimes such as drug dealing, sex trafficking and aggravated robbery. Raids were…

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Israel to decide next steps in Gaza

Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his security cabinet this week to decide on Israel's next steps in Gaza following the collapse of indirect ceasefire talks with Hamas, with one senior Israeli…

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US to require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourists

Some tourists visiting the US will soon be required to sign bonds of up to $15,000 (€13,000) under a new pilot program launching in two weeks, a government notice said.…

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Brazil’s Bolsonaro arrested

Brazil's Supreme Court put former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest on Monday ahead of his trial for an alleged coup plot, underscoring the court's resolve despite escalating tariffs and…

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Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 5 August 2025

Morning Briefing Updated Land Use Rules Allow Some Non-Agricultural ActivityThe government has revised regulations to discourage land abandonment, now allowing agricultural land to be used for non-agricultural purposes, provided the…

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Several beaches in France close after sightings of venomous Portuguese man o’war

Multiple popular beaches in south-west France were closed for swimming last week after several sightings of the venomous Portuguese man o'war. The marine creatures, which resemble jellyfish, appeared along the…

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Russia targeting voters across EU, Moldova warns

Russia is ramping up efforts to influence Moldovans living abroad across Europe to try to sway critical elections next month, the EU candidate country’s security chief has warned. National Security…

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Hamas says it will allow aid for hostages if Israel halts airstrikes, opens permanent humanitarian corridors

Hamas said it was prepared to coordinate with the Red Cross to deliver aid to hostages it holds in Gaza, if Israel meets certain conditions, after a video it released…

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BBC Uncovers Global Cat Torture Network With Links to China

A BBC investigation has uncovered a disturbing global network involved in the torture and killing of cats and kittens, with videos of the abuse being shared across international platforms —…

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Malta News Briefing – Monday 4 August 2025

Morning Briefing Malta Urged to Act Over Israel-Bound Coal ShipMalta is facing calls to act against the Fortune, a Malta-flagged bulk carrier transporting Colombian coal to Israel, allegedly in breach…

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Offshore wind in the Mediterranean: renewables can, and must, protect biodiversity – here’s how

By Paul Wawrzynkowski,PhD candidate, Universitat de Barcelona and Josep Lloret, Investigador científico (senior researcher)., Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC) The oceans – engines of life on Earth and our…

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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 2nd August 2025

Morning Briefing Miscarriage Leave Entitlement AnnouncedWomen who experience a miscarriage within the first 22 weeks of pregnancy will be entitled to seven consecutive days of miscarriage leave, along with their…

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Cambodia to nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

Cambodia will nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, its deputy prime minister said on Friday, following his direct intervention in halting the Southeast Asian country's recent…

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The ECB’s banknote design sparks controversy over Marie Curie

A new euro banknote design has reignited a long-running controversy between France and Poland over the legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Marie Curie (née Skłodowska). Born in Warsaw in…

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Radioactive Wasp Nest Discovered at Former U.S. Nuclear Weapons Facility

A radioactive wasp nest with radiation levels ten times of what is allowed under regulations was found at a facility that once produced parts for US nuclear weapons, federal officials…

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Trump hits dozens of countries’ goods with steep tariffs

U.S. President Donald Trump slapped steep tariffs on exports from dozens of trading partners including Canada, Brazil, India and Taiwan, pressing ahead with his plans to reorder the global economy…

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Portugal makes cautious move towards recognising Palestinian state

Portugal's centre-right government will consult the main political parties and conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said on…

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Trump says it is ‘disgusting’ what Russia doing to Ukraine

U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized Russia's "disgusting" behavior against Ukraine and said he plans to impose sanctions on Moscow if no agreement can be reached. Trump, speaking to reporters…

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Malta News Briefing – Friday 1 August 2025

Morning Briefing Pembroke council drops objection to db Group project in €3m deal Pembroke’s local council has unanimously agreed not to object to db Group’s revised plans to increase the…

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Japan and South Korea reel from record-breaking heat

Authorities in Japan and South Korea have urged people to take precautions to prevent heatstroke, as the region reels from record-breaking temperatures and pressure on hospitals. On Thursday, South Korea’s…

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Price Controls Rolled Out as Bulgaria Prepares for Euro Entry

Bulgaria's parliament passed legislation introducing year-long price controls from August 8, a part of its technical transition process before adopting the euro currency in January. The move comes after European…

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Kremlin Reignites Nuclear Threats as Medvedev Targets Trump in War of Words

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday told U.S. President Donald Trump to remember that Moscow possessed Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities of last resort after Trump told Medvedev to "watch…

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Lithuania’s prime minister quits after pressure over business ties to sister-in-law

Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said on Thursday he would resign, after facing pressure to do so over his business ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law. Paluckas in…

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