News

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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.…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

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…

Read More Here

Indian state of Kerala to be renamed Keralam

The Indian state of Kerala, known as “God’s own country” for its golden beaches and lush tea plantations, is to be given a new name. Narendra Modi’s cabinet has approved…

Read More Here

Denmark to go to polls on 24 March

Denmark will hold a parliamentary election on March 24, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday, seeking to capitalise on a surge in support for her defiant stance against U.S.…

Read More Here

More than 1,700 Africans fighting for Russia, Ukraine says

More than 1,700 Africans are fighting for Russia in its war in Ukraine, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, adding that Moscow was using deception to trick them into fighting.…

Read More Here

Iceland to hold EU referendum ‘in the coming months’

Iceland will hold a referendum "in the coming months" on restarting European Union accession talks, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said on Wednesday during a visit to Poland. Reykjavik abandoned EU…

Read More Here

What Brought Down the Turkish F-16? Mystery Deepens After Fatal Crash Near Bulgarian Border

NATO member Turkey is investigating the still unknown cause of an F-16 fighter jet crash that killed its pilot shortly after takeoff on a mission toward the Bulgarian border region,…

Read More Here

Montenegrin Kingpin Arrested in France as Financial Trail Exposes Europe-Wide Cocaine Trafficking Network

An international criminal network laundering cocaine profits for Italian organised crime has been dismantled after investigators followed the money trail across Europe. What began as suspicious financial movements uncovered a…

Read More Here

Gibraltar must follow EU rules

Gibraltar will remain British but must follow EU rules under its new Brexit deal, the full legal text of the agreement has revealed. Madrid deems the British Overseas Territory as…

Read More Here

UK and French Vessels to Support Ireland in Policing Its Waters

Ireland is to deepen naval co-operation with France and Britain, including allowing their vessels to patrol Irish-controlled waters and offer protection during the EU presidency. The move towards deeper co-operation…

Read More Here

Property deals by Russian nationals near RAF Akrotiri raise suspicions

British intelligence is increasingly apprehensive that Russian nationals linked to the Kremlin are acquiring properties near the RAF base at Akrotiri as part of a covert “hybrid warfare” strategy. According…

Read More Here

Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 26 February 2026

Updated 1204 Malta Unveils ‘Shine Here’ Branding to Mark Vision 2050 Rollout: Prime Minister Robert Abela has launched Malta’s new national branding, “Malta – Shine Here”, signalling the implementation phase…

Read More Here

Journalist deaths reach new high in 2025 — CPJ

Altogether 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Wednesday in an annual report. That makes 2025 the deadliest year for press…

Read More Here

Deficit to Narrow, Debt to Peak in 2026, Central Bank Forecasts

According to the latest forecasts issued by the Central Bank of Malta, Malta’s real GDP growth is expected to remain steady at 3.7% annually over the 2026–2028 period, unchanged from…

Read More Here

Updated – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 25 February 2026

Updated 1230 Central Bank: Malta GDP to Hold at 3.7% Through 2028: Malta’s economy is forecast to grow steadily at 3.7% between 2026 and 2028, the Central Bank said, confirming…

Read More Here

HSBC Malta Posts €109m Profit as Strong Capital Position Fuels Shareholder Returns

HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. has reported pre tax profits of €109 million for 2025, marking the third consecutive year it has exceeded the €100 million threshold despite a more challenging…

Read More Here

German drone deal faces scrutiny over Thiel stake

A multibillion euro German military drone contract is facing political scrutiny over billionaire investor Peter Thiel’s stake in a Berlin defence tech firm, according to a report by investigative portal…

Read More Here

UK Government to Release Papers on Prince Andrew’s Trade Envoy Role

The British government will publish confidential documents linked to Prince Andrew’s tenure as trade envoy following mounting parliamentary pressure. Britihs MPs on Tuesday approved a motion demanding the release of…

Read More Here

Cuban security forces exit Venezuela as US pressure mounts

Thousands of Cuban security personnel have begun leaving Caracas after nearly two decades in Venezuela, as Washington ramps up efforts to dismantle the long standing alliance between the two leftist…

Read More Here

Mandelson’s lawyers say his arrest followed ‘baseless suggestion’ he planned to leave UK

Lawyers for Peter Mandelson said he was arrested at his London home on Monday because police considered him a potential flight risk, a claim they insist is “baseless”. The former…

Read More Here

Trump touts economic record in State of the Union, seeks reset ahead of midterms

Donald Trump used the longest State of the Union address in history on Tuesday to champion his economic record, declaring he had ushered in a new “golden age” for America.…

Read More Here

Iran nears deal to buy supersonic anti-ship missiles from China

Iran is reportedly nearing an agreement with China to acquire advanced anti-ship cruise missiles, as the United States increases its naval presence off Iran’s coast. According to a Reuters report…

Read More Here

Canada plans to assist Cuba while Washington squeezes the island

Canada said it plans to provide assistance to Cuba while the island grapples with fuel shortages after Washington moved to choke off Cuba's oil supplies. Washington has escalated a pressure…

Read More Here

Iceland may fast-track vote on joining EU

Iceland's government is considering holding a referendum on EU relations as early as August, according to two sources cited by news publication Politico. Reykjavik had pledged to hold the vote…

Read More Here

Trump and the State of the Union address

The stage is set for US President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. The US Capitol in Washington DC will be packed with the country's top…

Read More Here

New Dutch PM Jetten faces uphill task as minority government installed

Rob Jetten became the youngest prime minister in Dutch history on Monday when his minority government was formally confirmed in power by King Willem-Alexander. Jetten, 38, propelled his progressive, pro-EU…

Read More Here

A year of upheaval sets the stage for Trump’s State of the Union address

U.S. President Donald Trump will use his State of the Union address on Tuesday to sell his turbulent, norm-breaking second term to American voters who will decide in November whether…

Read More Here

Zelenskiy marks war anniversary vowing to fight on, with Ukraine’s allies divided

Ukraine will not betray the sacrifices made by its people in four years of war just to make peace with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Tuesday, as divisions among…

Read More Here

Updated – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 24 February 2026

Updated 1145 Judge Mintoff Accuses PM Abela of Bias Over Chief Justice Post: Judge Lawrence Mintoff has accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of prejudice in a letter to the Cabinet…

Read More Here

US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions

The State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their eligible family members from the U.S. embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said, amid growing concerns about…

Read More Here

Sarandos Rejects Trump Call to Oust Susan Rice as Netflix Faces $83bn Merger Showdown

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has dismissed President Donald Trump’s demand that the streaming giant remove former national security adviser Susan Rice from its board, as the company battles for regulatory…

Read More Here

Updated – News Briefing – Monday 23 February 2026

Updated MMH Eyes €15m Bond Repayment Backed by New 49% Investor Deal: Mediterranean Maritime Hub Finance PLC (MMH) says it expects to generate sufficient cash flow to repay its €15…

Read More Here

Iceland Weighs August Referendum to Revive EU Membership Talks Amid Security Concerns

Iceland could hold a referendum as early as August on restarting EU accession talks, accelerating a pledge to vote by 2027. The move comes amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, including renewed…

Read More Here

Malta News Briefing – Saturday 21 February 2026

Morning Briefing Court rejects Muscat’s human rights claim over hospitals inquiryA Maltese court has dismissed a human rights case filed by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who argued he was…

Read More Here

Jeffrey Epstein’s estate agrees to pay up to $35m to settle survivors’ lawsuit

Jeffrey Epstein’s estate has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing two of his longtime advisers of aiding and abetting his sex trafficking of…

Read More Here

Climber convicted of manslaughter after leaving girlfriend on Austria’s highest peak to seek help

An Austrian court has convicted amateur mountaineer Thomas P, 37, of gross negligence manslaughter for leaving his girlfriend behind on Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner, during a failed climb in…

Read More Here

Updated – Malta News Briefing – Friday 20 February 2026

Updated 1437 Government puts forward Miriam Hayman's name for Chief Justice - reports The government has put forward Judge Miriam Hayman as its nominee for Malta’s next chief justice. The…

Read More Here

Spain’s Sánchez defies Washington as domestic popularity surges

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is walking a fine line between rising popularity at home and growing tension abroad, as his refusal to align with key US positions cements his…

Read More Here

Indonesia and Morocco Commit Troops for Gaza Stabilisation Force

Indonesia and Morocco have pledged to send personnel to the newly proposed International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Gaza, according to US Army General Jasper Jeffers, who heads the initiative under…

Read More Here

Malta Marathon: motorists advised to plan ahead as 7,000 athletes take to the roads

Malta is preparing for a major sporting weekend as the 41st LifeStar Malta Marathon opens the 2026 Running Europe Tour this Sunday. This year’s edition has drawn a record 7,000…

Read More Here