News

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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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…

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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.…

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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.…

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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…

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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,…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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