News

France flies nuclear-capable missile

France has carried out its first test firing of an updated nuclear-capable missile, the ASMPA-R, designed to be launched by a Rafale fighter jet, according to the French defence minister,…

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All EU donors have now resumed their support’ to Unrwa, says Josep Borrell

Josep Borrell, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, said that all EU donors had now resumed their support to the…

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Two-thirds in US fear violence could follow election, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds

Two out of three Americans say they are concerned that political violence could follow the Nov. 5 election rematch between Democratic President Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump,…

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Greece dismantles gang trafficking drugs from Latin America to Europe

Greek authorities have dismantled an international criminal group trafficking cocaine in shipping containers from Latin America to Europe, police said on Thursday. Two Albanians and two Greeks were arrested after…

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Nigel Farage says he won’t stand in UK general election

Britain's Nigel Farage, a leading Brexit campaigner and the honorary president of the right wing Reform Party, said on Thursday that he would not stand in the July general election.…

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Pope attributes second miracle to Catholic teenager Carlo Acutis, clearing the way for sainthood

Pope Francis has attributed a second miracle to an Italian teenager who in his short life used his computer skills to spread the Catholic faith, clearing the way for him…

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Russia says it will strike British targets if UK weapons are used to hit its territory

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Moscow will retaliate with strikes on British targets if British weapons are used by Ukraine to strike Russian territory. Zakharova…

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European Commission Post: Politico’s Pick for Malta’s Candidate

Miriam Dalli has been named by the influential international news outlet Politico as Malta’s favoured candidate for a European Commission post when top European jobs will be up for grabs…

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WATCH: Lead candidates for Commission Presidency in Eurovision debate

As the European Parliament election approaches, the lead candidates for the Commission Presidency square off today in a Eurovision debate. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which is organising the debate,…

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Updated – Malta News Briefing – Thursday 23 May 2024

Updated 1300 Hili Ventures to hit €1 billion in revenue In 2024 Malta-based Hili Ventures expects to surpass €1 billion in revenues in 2024, following a record €987 million in…

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Humanitarian operations ‘near collapse’ in Gaza, says World Food Programme

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is set to worsen once again as deliveries of aid and fuel to the Palestinian territory slow to a trickle in the wake of Israel’s…

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UK police investigating unexplained death of man charged with spying for China

British police are investigating the unexplained death of a man charged earlier this month with assisting Hong Kong's foreign intelligence service. Police said in a statement they were investigating an…

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Trump says Putin will release WSJ reporter Gershkovich for him

Donald Trump has posted on social media that he will use his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin to get Wall Street reporter Evan Gershkovich freed from a Russian prison.…

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Chechen leader meets Russia’s Putin, offers more troops for Ukraine

The leader of Russia's Chechnya region, Ramzan Kadyrov, said early on Thursday he had met President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin and offered to send more fighters to help Moscow…

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Russia deletes draft proposal to change Baltic Sea border

A Russian defence ministry proposal to revise Russia's maritime border in the eastern Baltic Sea was deleted from an official portal after creating confusion and concern among NATO members such…

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Norway to block entry for most Russian tourists

Norway will further restrict access for Russian tourist travellers due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, blocking almost all entry, the Nordic country's justice ministry said on Thursday. NATO member…

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Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to hit campaign trail as UK election race begins

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Labour Party rival Keir Starmer will kick off their election campaigns in earnest on Thursday, a day after Sunak surprised the nation by…

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Dutch election winner Wilders expects government installed by end-June

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders said he expected a new right-wing government to be operational by the end of June, even though he has yet to find a suitable prime…

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UK says neutral countries should join NATO if they want protection

Neutral countries which aren't NATO members but enjoy its "umbrella of protection" should have to join the military alliance, Britain's defense secretary said Wednesday. In a speech in London, Grant…

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Israel infuriated by Ireland, Spain, and Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state

Ireland, Spain and Norway announced on Wednesday that they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28, prompting an angry response from Israel which said this amounted to a "reward…

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Taiwan mobilises forces after China starts ‘punishment’ drills

Taiwan's military mobilised its forces and said it was confident it could protect the island, after China started two days of "punishment" drills around Taiwan on Thursday in what it…

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Hamas’ Capture of Five Female Israeli Soldiers: New Video Footage Revealed

A group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza has released new video footage showing Hamas’ capture of five female Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.…

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Rishi Sunak Announces Snap General Election for the UK on 4 July

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced a surprise development, calling for a snap general election in the United Kingdom during a speech delivered outside Downing Street. The election will…

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Lookman’s Hat-Trick Secures First European Trophy for Atalanta against Leverkusen

Atalanta secured their first-ever European trophy with an outstanding display against German champions Leverkusen. Ademola Lookman's hat-trick halted Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable 51-game unbeaten run, earning 66-year-old coach Gian Piero Gasperini…

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Kremlin criticises EU plan to use revenue from frozen assets

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, said today that Russia would regard the seizure of revenue from its frozen assets in the EU as a violation of all norms of the…

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Tripoli claims Greece is conducting illegal prospecting south of Crete

The interim government of Tripoli claims Greece is conducting illegal prospecting south of Crete in areas it says are under Libya’s jurisdiction. The issue was raised last week through a…

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Germany’s far-right party AfD faces backlash over SS remarks, lost allies.

The leading candidate for Germany's far-right party in the European election stepped back from campaigning on Wednesday to try to quell the backlash after declaring that the SS, the Nazis'…

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Netherlands will no longer allow international adoptions

The Netherlands will no longer permit its citizens to adopt children from foreign countries, a Dutch government minister said. Minister for Legal Protection Franc Weerwind added that intercountry procedures that…

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Australia reports first human avian flu infection

Australia reported its first human case of avian influenza on Wednesday in a child who authorities said had been infected in India but made a full recovery, while a different…

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Italian police dismantle Turkish gang involved in terror plot

Investigators in Milan announced that 19 people had been arrested in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Turkey in dawn operations involving hundreds of police officers to dismantle an armed criminal gang…

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UPDATED: Ireland, Spain, Norway announce recognition of Palestinian state

Ireland, Spain and Norway announced on Wednesday that they would recognise a Palestinian state on May 28, saying they hoped other Western countries would follow suit, prompting Israel to recall…

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High winds and flash floods bring chaos to Serbia

Strong winds, hail and flash floods caused havoc across Serbia on Tuesday, with one person killed when a tree toppled on to her car. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the…

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British defense minister accuses China of providing lethal aid to Russia

British defence minister Grant Shapps accused China on Wednesday of providing or preparing to provide Russia with lethal aid for use by Moscow in its war against Ukraine. Shapps told…

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Russian defence ministry proposes revising Baltic Sea border

Russia's defence ministry has proposed a revision to the borders of Russian territorial waters in the Baltic Sea, according to a draft government decree, drawing a rebuke from NATO-member Finland.…

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Spain permanently recalls ambassador from Argentina

Spain has said it is permanently withdrawing its ambassador from Argentina as a result of a growing diplomatic feud with the South American country’s radical rightwing president, Javier Milei. Milei…

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Russia starts exercise to simulate launch of tactical nuclear weapons

Russian forces have started the first stage of exercises ordered by President Vladimir Putin to simulate preparation for the launch of tactical nuclear weapons, the Defence Ministry said. Moscow has…

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Blinken says he’ll work with US Congress on potential ICC sanctions

The Biden administration is willing to work with Congress to potentially impose sanctions against International Criminal Court officials over the prosecutor's request for arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over the…

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Israeli forces raze parts of Gaza’s Jabalia, hit Rafah with airstrikes

Israeli forces thrust deeper into Jabalia in northern Gaza on Tuesday, striking a hospital and destroying residential areas with tank and air bombardments, residents said, while Israeli airstrikes killed at…

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Malta News Briefing – Wednesday 22 May 2024

Morning Briefing PM claims PN wants to stoke tensions during Muscat arraignment PM Robert Abela alleged the Nationalist Party is preparing a "trap" for Labour supporters who are expected to…

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Lithuanian border guards to be equipped with heavy weapons

Lithuanian border guards will be equipped with heavy weapons, Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė announced. “The Defence Ministry will contribute to equipping border guards with heavy weapons,” Bilotaitė told reporters at…

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US says it was ‘unable’ to provide Iran assistance after helicopter crash

The United States said it had been unable, due largely to logistical reasons, to accept an Iranian request for assistance following a helicopter crash over the weekend that killed President…

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The Maltese High Commission in London owes over £700,000 in unpaid traffic charges, the United States tops the list with £14 million

The Maltese High Commission in London has racked up more than £700,00 in unpaid traffic charges, though this is far from the most among the embassies and diplomatic missions in…

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