News

Joseph Muscat arrives in Court to face criminal charges / Malta News Briefing – Tuesday 28 May 2024

Updated 1130 Former PM Muscat in court to face criminal chargesFormer Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his ex-Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and former Health Minister Konrad Mizzi have arrived in…

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China, US agree to manage maritime risks through continued dialogue

China and the United States held consultations on maritime affairs in which both countries agreed to maintain dialogue and manage risks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday. China said…

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Polish foreign minister says Poland should not rule out sending troops to Ukraine

Poland should not rule out sending troops to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said in comments published on Tuesday, as Kyiv struggles to repel Russian advances, but Sikorski did not…

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UPDATED: Danish parliament rejects proposal to recognise Palestinian state

Denmark's parliament on Tuesday voted down a bill to recognise a Palestinian state, after the Danish foreign minister previously said the necessary preconditions for an independent country were lacking. Ireland,…

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Pakistan temperatures cross 52 C in heatwave

Temperatures rose above 52 degrees Celsius (125.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh, the highest reading of the summer and close to the country’s record high amid an…

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Danish PM calls for 15+ age limit for social media in EU

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen wants the European Union to impose an age limit of 15 years old to use social media, in an effort to better shield young smartphone…

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Pope Francis’s Remarks Towards The LGBT Community Spark Outrage

Pope Francis used a highly derogatory term towards the LGBT community as he reiterated in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops that gay people should not be allowed to become…

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Biden tells Israel to protect civilians after Rafah strike

The Biden administration told Israel to take every precaution to protect civilians after a military strike in Rafah killed dozens of Palestinians, as it faced calls from some fellow Democrats…

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NATO chief reiterates that West should rethink restrictions on weapons for Ukraine

"By having too many restrictions we are tying one hand of the Ukrainian armed forces on their back," said NATO's Secretary-General. Jens Stoltenberg has urged NATO states to reconsider limits…

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French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centres soon

Ukraine's top commander said he had signed paperwork allowing French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centres soon. "I am pleased to welcome France's initiative to send instructors to Ukraine…

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Update – Women and Children amongst 45 killed in Israel’s attack on safe enclave near Rafah

Gaza officials have tragically confirmed that the death toll from Israeli air strikes on a camp sheltering displaced Palestinians near Rafah in the southern part of the strip has now…

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EU agrees to revive Rafah mission, Borrell criticises Israel’s Netanyahu

The European Union agreed in principle on Monday to revive an EU civilian mission at Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip next to Egypt, but said it would…

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Cyprus faces looming water crisis

The ongoing drought and impending water crisis in Cyprus this summer will be a key topic for Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou during her upcoming meeting with counterparts in Brussels. The…

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Poland Unveils ‘East Shield’ Program to Fortify Eastern Border

Poland fleshed out details on Monday of "East Shield", a 10 billion zloty ($2.55 billion) programme to beef up defences along its eastern border with Belarus and Russia, saying it…

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Suspicious death of Italian MEP’s husband

Italian MEP Francesca Donato claims her husband was killed as authorities investigate the death of Angelo Onorato, found in his car by his wife and daughter on Saturday. An Italian…

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Lithuania raps Hungary over hold-ups in EU military aid to Ukraine

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis lashed out at Hungary on Monday for blocking European Union decisions on foreign affairs, including military aid for Ukraine, and said the bloc had to…

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UPDATED: Papua New Guinea landslide buried more than 2,000 people

Papua New Guinea's massive landslide three days ago buried more than 2,000 people, the government said on Monday, as treacherous terrain impeded aid and lowered hopes of finding survivors. The…

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Slovak prime minister Fico’s health improving

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition after an assassination attempt earlier this month is improving, the government and hospital said on Monday. An attacker hit Fico with four bullets at…

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Italy says violence against civilians in Gaza ‘no longer justifiable’

Italy said on Monday Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians in Gaza were no longer justifiable in one of the strongest criticisms Rome has made so far against Israel's campaign. "There…

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US lawmaker tells Taiwan weapons are coming, China drills show deterrence need

A senior U.S. lawmaker visiting Taipei said on Monday that weapons Taiwan had ordered are finally on their way, and that China's "intimidating" war games last week underscored the need…

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US, European nations consider vaccinating workers exposed to bird flu

The United States and Europe are taking steps to acquire or manufacture H5N1 bird flu vaccines that could be used to protect at-risk poultry and dairy workers, veterinarians and lab…

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Putin’s fear of rebellion could be behind arrests of Russian generals

Indrek Kannik, head of the International Center for Defense and Security (ICDS), says the arrests of Russia's defense ministry and military leadership may be related to Vladimir Putin's fear of…

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Twelve Moldovan parties clinch pro-Europe pact, but not all back president

Twelve parties in Moldova clinched a pact committing them to act in favour of European Union membership for the ex-Soviet state as the campaign for an October referendum on European…

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EU considers possible Rafah border mission

Talks on deploying a European Union mission at the Rafah border crossing in Gaza are at a preliminary stage and the deployment will not happen without an end to the…

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Russia’s losses in Ukraine over 500,000 as Kyiv’s strike on nuclear radar causes alarm

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has led to the death or injury of over half a million Russian soldiers, according to the latest figures from the Ukrainian military. The toll…

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Saudi Arabia appoints first ambassador to Syria since 2012

Saudi Arabia announced the appointment of its first ambassador to Syria since severing ties with Damascus in 12 years, marking an ongoing thawing in relations since the war-torn country was…

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Israeli airstrikes kill at least 35 in Rafah

Israeli air strikes killed at least 35 Palestinians and wounded dozens in an area in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah designated for the displaced, Palestinian health and civil…

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UPDATED: Spain to send Patriot missiles, Leopard tanks to Ukraine in $1.23 billion package

Spain plans to send Patriot missiles and Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a 1.13 billion euro ($1.23 billion) weapon package announced last month, El Pais newspaper reported on…

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Lithuanian Nauseda calls victory in presidential election

Lithuanian Gitanas Nauseda announced his re-election in a presidential ballot on Sunday, following a campaign dominated by security concerns in the European Union and NATO member next door to Russia.…

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Malta News Briefing – Monday 27 May 2024

Morning Briefing Vitals inquiry shows Malta seized by Mafia - Grech Nationalist Party Leader Bernard Grech stated that "every page, every paragraph, and every word written within the Vitals' inquiry…

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Roberto Benigni Advocates Dreaming and Embracing Doubt

The Italian actor and comedian Roberto Benigni is best known in the English-speaking world for his 1997 film Life is Beautiful, which won three Oscars. But, in his native country, he’s just…

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Hamas Rockets Target Tel Aviv Amid Gaza Conflict | Breaking News

The Palestinian militant group Hamas has declared that it launched a barrage of rockets at Israel’s commercial center Tel Aviv for the first time in months. This action appears to…

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict: President Zelenskiy’s Plea for Global Peace Summit

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has issued a heartfelt video plea inviting world leaders to attend a “peace summit” in Switzerland next month, following a tragic Russian attack on a DIY…

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UK Conservative Party Plans Mandatory National Service for 18-Year-Olds

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans to reintroduce mandatory national service for 18-year-olds, offering them the choice between military placements or community service. The UK Conservative party has revealed…

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Ibiza – Latest Spanish hotspot to fight back against overtourism

The detrimental effects of tourism on Ibiza's local community cannot be ignored any longer. This weekend, impassioned activists will take to the streets to vehemently oppose the hardships imposed by…

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Saudi Arabia Set to Receive US Offensive Weapons After Biden’s Reversal

The United States is anticipated to lift its prohibition on the sale of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia in the upcoming weeks. President Joe Biden had halted the sale three…

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Lithuania votes in presidential election 2nd round

Lithuanians headed to the polls on Sunday for the decisive second round of the presidential election, as incumbent president Gitanas Nausėda vied for another five-year term against prime minister Ingrida…

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Qatar Airways Flight QR107 Turbulence Incident: Injuries and Emergency Landing

Six passengers and six cabin crew sustained injuries due to severe turbulence on a Qatar Airways flight QR107 from Doha to Dublin. The incident occurred while the aircraft was flying…

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Monaco Grand Prix 2022: Ferrari Leclerc’s Spectacular Win and Strategic Battles

Charles Leclerc conquered the Monaco Grand Prix, demonstrating remarkable composure and skill as he clinched victory in front of his home fans. Despite early chaos at the start of the…

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President Macron’s Germany Visit: EU Policy Implications and Defense Concerns

The upcoming state visit by President Macron to Berlin, Dresden, and Muenster marks the first French presidential visit to Germany in 24 years. This visit holds great significance as it…

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Gujarat State Amusement Park Fire: Tragic Death Toll and Prime Minister’s Condolences

A tragic fire engulfed a bustling amusement park in Gujarat State, western India on Saturday, claiming the lives of at least 27 individuals, including four young children. The local authorities…

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European Union Elections 2024: Impact of Political Violence on Voters’ Choices

In an increasingly vitriolic political climate, the last thing needed in the runup to the June European Union elections was an assassination attempt on one of the bloc’s most controversial…

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‘No one can act with impunity’: ICC arrest warrants in Israel-Hamas war are a major test for international justice

Amy Maguire, University of Newcastle The request by Karim Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders is a significant step…

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Kharkiv Crisis: Escalating Tensions and International Reactions

Scores of individuals lost their lives or sustained injuries following an aerial bomb strike on a large store in the city of Kharkiv on Saturday afternoon, as confirmed by local…

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Poland’s Foreign Minister Urges Long-Term Rearmament of Europe for Countering Russian Ambitions

"A long-term re-armament of Europe is necessary to counter Russian ambitions," stated Poland’s foreign minister. Sikorski emphasized that Poland is now recognizing the need for re-armament by prioritizing the production…

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Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Strip Defy ICJ Ruling | Latest Updates

Israel intensified attacks on Rafah on Saturday in defiance of an International Court of Justice ruling ordering an end to the assault on the city in the south of the…

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WHO Negotiations Stalemate on Governments’ Role in Future Pandemics

The World Health Organization ended discussions about how to protect the world from future pandemics without reaching an agreement. Now, it's up to governments to decide whether to continue the…

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Tourism a boon for Spain’s economy but a bane for some locals

Fresh from a tour of Real Madrid's glittering Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the Spanish capital, Guadalupe Rebollo says a holiday in Spain with her 15-year-old daughter is a better deal…

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Protests in Tel Aviv and Haifa for Hostage Release

Reports of scuffles between protesters and Israeli police in Tel Aviv as thousands demand the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Additionally, a small US military vessel and…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Sunday 26 May 2024

Update Abela and Grech address party faithfuls two weeks away from election Robert Abela, the Prime Minister, rallied supporters by highlighting his government's achievements and accusing the establishment of trying…

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Key political moments from 14 years of Conservative rule in UK

Britain will hold a national election on July 4 which opinion polls suggest will end 14 years of Conservative Party-led government, spanning one of the more turbulent periods in the…

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From Trento to the podium, the Ferrari putting fizz into F1

Charles Leclerc hopes to win his home Monaco Grand Prix this weekend but the only Ferrari sure to be represented on the most glamorous of podiums is the sparkling wine…

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Malta News Briefing – Saturday 25 May 2024

Morning Brieifng Government, MUT reach agreement on collective agreementThe government and the Malta Union of Teachers have reached a collective agreement for educators after months of negotiations. Union members must…

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No sign of attack on Iran president’s helicopter before fatal crash, armed forces say

Moving briefly away from Gaza and Israel developments, Iran’s military says the helicopter carrying late President Ebrahim Raisi caught fire soon after it crashed into a mountain and there was…

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Half of Italians struggling to make ends meet – Eurispes

Over half of the Italian population, 57.4%, have trouble making their salaries last until the end of the month, research institute Eurispes said in its 'Italy 2024 Report' on Friday.It…

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Slovakia shooting suspect says he wanted to hurt Fico, not kill him

The man detained over the shooting of Robert Fico said he had wanted to hurt the Slovak prime minister because he disagreed with government policies and used a gun he…

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UK’s Labour has 17-point lead over Conservatives in first poll since vote date set

Britain's opposition Labour Party has a 17-percentage point lead over Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party in the first opinion poll conducted since he unexpectedly set a July 4 date…

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