News

What to Know About the Strait of Hormuz Under the Cease-Fire

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive maritime corridors in the world, and recent developments following a fragile cease fire between the United States and Iran have…

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US Ambassador Denies Trump and Vance Interfered in Hungary Election

Returning to Hungary, Donald Trump’s EU ambassador told AFP that neither the former president nor his vice-president were “meddling” in Hungary’s election, despite publicly endorsing nationalist incumbent Viktor Orbán. Speaking…

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UK Tracks Russian Submarines Conducting Covert Cable Surveillance

The UK has detected three Russian submarines conducting a covert operation over critical undersea cables and pipelines in waters north of the country, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed. A British…

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Meloni Distances Italy from Trump Amid Political and Economic Pressures

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly distanced herself from US President Donald Trump during a parliamentary address on Thursday, following a referendum defeat widely seen as a rebuke to her…

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Ceasefire at Risk as Tensions Escalate in Gulf and Lebanon

A tentative two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran is showing signs of strain, amid renewed tensions in the Gulf and escalating violence in Lebanon. The agreement, reached earlier…

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From Vietnam to the EU by air: 8 arrested in a migrant smuggling sting across Europe

On 30 March 2026, a coordinated international French-led operation, which was supported by Europol and involved law enforcement and judicial authorities from Germany and Hungary, led to the dismantling of…

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Trump complains NATO ‘wasn’t there when we needed them’ after talks with alliance leader Rutte

President Donald Trump repeated his complaint about NATO after a closed-door meeting with the alliance’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday for discussions that had been expected to be aimed at…

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Tanker Hit Off Malta Sparks Claims of Secret Ukrainian Operation in Libyan Waters

Ukrainian forces are operating in western Libya under a covert deal endorsed by the West, and they used the Northern African country's territory to strike a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean last…

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Zelenskiy, welcoming Iran de-escalation, says Ukraine ready for ceasefire with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he welcomed the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, adding ‌that Kyiv was ready to "respond in kind" if Moscow ceased strikes. "Ukraine…

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As US and Iran talk truce, Israel digs in for a ‘forever war’

Even as the U.S. and Iran seek to cement a ceasefire, Israel is seizing more territory from its neighbours in preparation for a long, drawn-out conflict across the Middle East.…

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Italy says EU should consider pausing budget rules if Iran crisis persists

European Union authorities should consider a temporary suspension of budget deficit rules if the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran flares up again, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told parliament on Thursday. Meloni…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 9 April 2026

Updated 0930 Morning Briefing Malta Holds Off EU Energy Cuts, Cites Preparedness Amid Supply Fears: Malta has stopped short of endorsing EU-backed emergency energy-saving measures, instead relying on its national…

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Ukraine renews attacks on Russian energy sites

Ukraine has increased attacks on Russian energy facilities in recent weeks as peace talks have failed to make progress. Following is a summary of the attacks and their impact: NORSI…

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Russian Hackers Infiltrate Wi-Fi Infrastructure to Monitor Western Targets

Russia's elite hacking group Fancy Bear is behind a large-scale campaign to spy on militaries and governments by hacking Wi-Fi routers, security agencies in the United States and Europe have…

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Greece to ban social media for under-15s from 2027

Greece will ban access to social media for children under the age ‌of 15 from January 1, 2027, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday, citing rising anxiety, sleep problems…

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Fragile Iran-Israel Truce Emerges as Ceasefire Talks Move to Pakistan

US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week suspension of US attacks on Iran, describing it as part of an interim truce effort and crediting Pakistan for facilitating the move.…

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Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 8 April 2026

Morning Briefing Malta records strong international investment position Malta ended last year with a positive international investment position of €19.4 billion, according to National Statistics Office figures. This indicates the…

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American journalist released a week after being kidnapped in Iraq

The US journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped from a Baghdad street corner last week, has been released, according to an Iraqi official with direct knowledge of the situation. Kittleson…

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UPDATED: Donald Trump says ‘a whole civilisation will die’ if Iran ignores demands

onald Trump has warned that Iran’s “whole civilisation will die tonight” if Tehran did not comply with his demands, as the world braced to see if the president would deliver…

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‘At your service’: Hungary’s Orban offered help to Putin, Bloomberg reports

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban offered last year to help Russian President Vladimir Putin "in any way", such as by hosting a summit in Budapest to settle the war in…

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Three killed in shooting near Israeli consulate in Turkiye’s Istanbul

At least two attackers were killed and one was seriously injured in an extended gun ‌battle between police and assailants directly outside the building housing the Israeli consulate in Istanbul…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 7 April 2026

Updated 1230 Malta Expands Get Qualified Scheme with STEM Incentives and Doctoral Support: Malta has updated its Get Qualified scheme, offering up to 70% tax credits on study costs for…

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Bangladesh launches measles vaccination drive as child death toll passes 100

Bangladesh is battling its worse measles outbreak in years, with more than 100 children dead amid a rise in unvaccinated infants. The government, in partnership with the United Nations, has…

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Artemis II moon crew flies farther than humans have ever gone before

The four astronauts of NASA's Artemis II mission flew deeper into space on Monday than any humans before them, as they cruised through a rare flyby of the shadowed far…

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Jet Fuel Squeeze Spreads Across Italy as Airlines Brace for Disruption

Italy is facing growing pressure on aviation fuel supplies, with several regional airports introducing restrictions that are raising concerns ahead of the peak summer travel season. New aviation notices (NOTAMs)…

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South Korea points to Kim Jong Un’s daughter as next in line

South Korea's spy agency now believes North ‌Korean leader Kim Jong Un's teenage daughter has been positioned as his successor, lawmakers said on Monday, citing a recent public display of…

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Ukraine and Syria to cooperate on security

The leaders of Ukraine and Syria have pledged greater security cooperation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Kyiv offers its military expertise to governments across the Middle East region amid the…

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UPDATED: Germany works to clarify new rules on fighting-age men leaving country

Germany's armed ‌forces are working on clarifying a provision in a recently updated military service law that requires fighting-age men to gain permission to leave the country for more than…

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Tensions continue after Trump’s threat on Truth Social for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

A two-tier plan aimed at ending the conflict between the United States and Iran has been presented to both sides, according to a source cited by Reuters. The proposal calls…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Monday 6 April 2026

Updated 1030 EU Focuses on Affordability, Simpler Rules and Funding Access, Says Malta Chief: Affordability, simplified EU rules and easier access to funding are central to the European Commission’s response…

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Iran claims responsibility for downing two US warplanes

Iran has claimed responsibility for shooting down two US warplanes. Two American crewmembers were rescued and one airman remains missing after a F-15E Strike Eagle went down over the Kohgiluyeh and…

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Malta News Briefing – Friday 3 April 2026

EP delegation raises concerns on use of funds in Malta A delegation from the European Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee has voiced concern over corruption, fraud and the use of EU…

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Libya’s Haftar acquires combat drones despite UN embargo

Eastern Libya's military leader, Khalifa Haftar, has acquired what appear to be Chinese and Turkish combat drones, Reuters reporting has found, despite a long-standing U.N. embargo on supplying weapons to…

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Extreme weather batters Italy’s Adriatic regions, cutting roads and rail lines

Italy has been effectively split along its Adriatic side after nearly 72 hours of severe weather battered central and southern regions, triggering floods, landslides and major transport disruption. A bridge…

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Britain eyes summer deadline for EU reset deal

A deal to re-align key parts of the U.K. economy with the European Union is on course to be reached by the early summer, according to the minister in charge…

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CDU/CSU calls for cannabis rethink 2 years in

Government ministers from Germany's conservative CDU and CSU parties on Wednesday called for changes to the 2024 partial legalization of cannabis introduced by the previous more left-leaning coalition government. They…

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Hopes dim for swift end to Iran war after Trump speech, oil prices surge anew

Hopes for a swift end to the Middle East war faded on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran, in an eagerly anticipated address that…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 2 April 2026

Updated 0900 IAC Invests in Malta Aviation Hub, Safeguards Jobs and Expands Workforce: International Aerospace Coatings (IAC) will invest in a new aircraft design and painting facility at Safi Aviation…

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China Raises Alarm Over Japan’s Missile Deployment

China has expressed deep concern over Japan’s decision to deploy long-range missiles in Kumamoto and Shizuoka, announced as part of efforts to strengthen its ability to strike enemy bases. Foreign…

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Malta’s economic momentum shows resilience as confidence cools slightly

Malta’s economy continued to exhibit solid performance in early 2026, with business activity and sentiment indicators pointing to growth that outpaces historical norms, even as some domestic and external headwinds…

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Israel says it will keep control over part of southern Lebanon

Israel’s defense minister has announced plans to establish a buffer zone within southern Lebanon, stating that Israel will maintain security control over part of the territory even after the current…

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US journalist abducted in Baghdad

An American freelance reporter has been kidnapped in Baghdad, with officials saying a suspect has links to an Iran-backed militia. Shelly Kittleson, known for covering conflicts in the Middle East,…

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Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil terminal

Ukrainian drones have hit Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kyiv intensifies its campaign against Russian oil export infrastructure. Regional governor Alexander…

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Employer Bodies Say Cannabis has No Role to Play in Youth Football

Employers’ associations within the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, including Malta Employers, The Malta Chamber, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, and Malta Chamber of SMEs, have called for…

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Trump, Rubio say war ‘finish line’ is approaching

The United States has indicated that its military operations in Iran could conclude within weeks, even as fresh incidents across the Middle East underscore the fragility of the situation. US…

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Leaked Call Reveals Russia asked Hungary for Help on Sanctions

A newly released recording has intensified scrutiny of Hungary’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Péter Szijjártó, who is already facing backlash over reports that he shared sensitive information with Russia during EU…

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Trump tells allies to ‘go get your own oil’ amid Iranian attacks on Gulf

Donald Trump criticised allies for not supporting US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying countries affected by rising fuel prices should “get your own oil” and learn to…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 1 April 2026

Updated 1145 Malta Business Confidence Slips as Uncertainty Rises, Despite Modest Growth Signals: Business sentiment weakened across most sectors in February, while uncertainty rose, according to the Central Bank of…

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UPDATED: Italy blocks base use, Spain closes airspace, France denies transit over Iran war

Italy, Spain and France have moved to restrict military activity linked to the war in Iran, underscoring divisions among European allies as the conflict continues. Italian authorities denied the United…

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Three UN peacekeepers killed in Lebanon as Israeli strikes pummel south

Three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon after a bloody weekend in which Lebanese journalists and medics were killed in Israeli strikes.…

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Friedrich Merz: Most Syrians to Leave Germany Within Three Years

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he and the Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa hope that 80% of the Syrians in Germany will return home in the next three years. During…

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Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 31 March 2026

Morning Briefing Business confidence weakens across sectors in February Business sentiment weakened across most sectors in February, while uncertainty increased, according to the Central Bank of Malta. The sharpest drop…

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Guns-for-cannabis network hit: Europol high-value target arrested in international action

A Europol high-value target has been arrested and key members of his criminal network targeted during a coordinated action on 23 March across Spain, Bulgaria and Greece. The network is…

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Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war

Spain has closed its airspace to U.S. planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use ‌of jointly-operated military bases, Spanish newspaper El Pais reported…

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Nearly Two-Thirds of Estonians Contemplate Leaving the Country

A recent straw poll by Estonian newspaper Maaleht suggests growing unease among the country’s population, with nearly two-thirds of respondents saying they are considering leaving Estonia or would do so…

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Iran threatens US campuses in Middle East

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned it may retaliate against American university campuses in the Middle East, claiming that recent U.S. and Israeli strikes have damaged two Iranian universities. The…

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Two drones enter and crash in Finland

Two drones entered Finland's airspace and crashed on Sunday, according to the country’s defense ministry, which said it is investigating the incidents. "Drones have strayed into Finnish territory. We are…

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