05

Aug

How the Benalla affair dented Macron

The Financial Times says that the first big public test of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency might have been expected to come over his reform measures, the French economy, Europe or his…

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04

Aug

42 refugees from Sudan who were rescued by Aquarius welcomed in Lille

RFI reports that the northern French city of Lille on Friday welcomed 42 Sudanese refugees who were rescued by the Aquarius humanitarian boat in a ceremony conducted by its Socialist…

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04

Aug

Saturday Morning Briefing

  Good morning As expected the death of Shannon Mak is the lead story on Malta's Newspapers. Various happenings take different priorities around the world. As we go through 40…

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03

Aug

May and Macron to meet on Brexit

Euronews reports that British Prime Minister Theresa May will cut short her summer holiday to hold crucial Brexit talks with Emmanuel Macron. The French leader has invited Prime Minister May to his…

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03

Aug

European high temperature record of 48 degrees Celsius expected this week

CNN: Forecasters have warned of potentially record-breaking temperatures in Spain and Portugal this week as much of Europe swelters in a heat wave that has left some farmers suffering drought conditions.…

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03

Aug

Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning,  Your Morning Briefing for today follows. Both the Times and The Malta Independent refer to the S&P credit rating on the banking system. Respected credit ratings agency Standard and Poors has…

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02

Aug

Eiffel Tower closes for public as staff went on strike

France 24 reports that the Eiffel Tower closed to the public on Wednesday afternoon as staff went on strike over how to organise tourists visits to the monument. "Staff from…

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01

Aug

Calais bridge closed after driver threatened to blow himself

Express: Emergency services rushed to the scene after a “suspicious vehicle” was stopped at a passport control booth on the French side of the border, Lille-based newspaper La Voix du…

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26

Jul

Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning From Malta to Washington, from Pakistan to Brussels, from Syria to France, from Italy to Mars and back...  here are the main news as reported by main news…

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25

Jul

Emmanuel Macron states that in the case of the Benalla affair, the buck stops with him.

France 24 French President Emmanuel Macron responded to a growing political storm over a video showing his top bodyguard assaulting May Day protesters by saying he bore responsibility, lawmakers from his…

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24

Jul

Tuesday Morning Briefing

Good morning, This is our morning briefing, bringing you the highlights of the main news as reported in Malta, Europe and the World.   Two women were killed early yesterday…

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23

Jul

Interior Minister faces grilling over Macron’s security affair

France 24: Facing questions before France’s parliament on Monday, Interior Minister Gérard Collomb defended his handling of the so-called Benalla Affair. Hearings on Monday mark the latest episode in a damaging…

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23

Jul

Monday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The saying 'a week is too long in politics' keeps being challenged. While the past few weeks we saw this saying being challenged in the international world, yesterday…

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23

Jul

Macron faces first internal crisis since becoming French President

France 24 reports that the French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a shake-up of his office after acknowledging failings in the way the presidency handled a scandal over his top bodyguard…

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21

Jul

Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, From Malta to Kazakistan via Italy, to the UK and Brussels, from Libya to Singapore and our obvious stop in the US our morning briefing presents you how…

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20

Jul

Macron’s office launches dismissal proceedings against security aide

Politico reports that French President Emmanuel Macron’s office launched dismissal proceedings on Friday against security aide Alexandre Benalla after video emerged of him assaulting a demonstrator during a street protest on May 1.…

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17

Jul

Large prostitution ring dismantled

Eurojust: A joint action in France, Bulgaria and Germany resulted in searches of more than 20 locations and the arrest of 10 pimps. The pimps had been operating since 2015, promising…

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17

Jul

Tuesday Morning Briefing

Good morning Our morning briefing for today focuses on the main points following the US - Russia summit where comments by US President Trump were deemed as treasonous. On the…

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16

Jul

Monday Morning Briefing

Good morning, France wins the World Cup while Trump arrives in Helsinki for his summit with Putin. Before leaving the UK he stresses that the EU is a foe of…

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15

Jul

France beats Croatia 4 – 2 in World Cup Final

France have won the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ after defeating Croatia 4-2 in a thoroughly entertaining Final at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in what was a fitting end…

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15

Jul

World Cup: Why France can, must and will win the World Cup

FIFA.COm When a team reaches the FIFA World Cup™ Final, it is because they have overcome every obstacle and shown exceptional qualities, and in doing so have turned their dreams of…

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15

Jul

World Cup: Why Croatia can, must and will win the World Cup

FIFA.COM: The 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Final is just around the corner, as 1998 winners France prepare to face first-time finalists Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. Ahead of…

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15

Jul

Who will win the cup? Why France must win it? Why Croatia can? Why both will it?

Why should France or Croatia win the World Cup? Will it be France’s solidity which will beat the  Croatian mental strength and character? Will it be Croatia’s miraculous collective which…

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15

Jul

Sunday Morning Briefing

Good morning Wishing everyone a good Sunday. Here's our morning briefing.   In an official statement, the government of Malta said that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat pledged to participate in…

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14

Jul

Security tightened in France as it celebrates Bastille day and hopes for World Cup final victory

Security has been tightened ahead of a weekend that France hopes will bring back-to-back celebrations of Bastille Day on July 14 and a victory in the 2018 World Cup final,…

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11

Jul

France midfielder Paul Pogba dedicates semi-final win to rescued Thai boys

Reuters: France midfielder Paul Pogba dedicated his side’s World Cup 1-0 semi-final win over Belgium to the 12 Thai boys who were rescued from a flooded cave along with their coach…

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11

Jul

The Wednesday Morning Briefing

Good morning The successful rescue operation in Thailand ended successfully, highlighting a number of 'human traits' that at times are overshadowed by the dullness of other happenings around us. This…

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10

Jul

World Cup : France first finalists after beating Belgium

FIFA.COM : Samuel Umtiti's headed winner has returned France to the FIFA World Cup™ Final for the third time in 20 years, sealing a 1-0 win over Belgium in Saint Petersburg.…

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10

Jul

Salvini prepares for political-football mission to Russia as he indicates his hope that France won’t make it to the World Cup final

The Local: Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini says he plans to go to Moscow this weekend to combine a visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin with the World Cup final. Salvini…

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10

Jul

Tuesday Morning Briefing

Good morning An eventful 36 hours for Theresa May and the UK. But not only. Trump's nomination for the Supreme Court, Libya's deal with Italy on migration and the rescue…

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09

Jul

Macron unveils his Presidency’s second year plan

Euronews / Reuters:  President Emmanuel Macron declared himself “humbled” by his first year of governing on Monday, but said he was determined to push ahead with his ambitious agenda and reform…

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08

Jul

Russia beats France to win FIVB Nations League

FIVB: Russia brought France's brilliant run throughout the season to an abrupt end Sunday night in this northern France city, shutting out their opponents in the final, silencing the 10,000-strong…

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08

Jul

Who’s the kits’ winner?

Only 4 teams are left. No one seem to put in dispute their position as top 4 teams of the World Cup. What about their shirts? Which one do you…

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07

Jul

EasyJet passenger head-buts steward while being removed from flight to Mallorca

AirLive: An EasyJet passenger was pinned to the ground at Paris CDG after head-butting an air steward while being removed from a delayed flight to Mallorca. Shocking footage shows the man lying on…

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06

Jul

World Cup – France vs Uruguay

Fifa.com: France won through to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 12 years after seeing off a combative Uruguay side that struggled in the absence of the injured…

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02

Jul

‘Le Spider-Man’ who saved young boy in Paris has his first day in city’s Fire Brigade

The Mali immigrant dubbed “Le Spider-Man,” who saved a young boy dangling from a Paris balcony in May, just had his first day on the job with the city’s Fire…

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02

Jul

Monday Morning Briefing

Good morning The human, the diplomatic and the political impact of migration dominate the latest developments reported in our Morning Briefing. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer has confirmed his offer…

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01

Jul

Notorious French criminal escapes from prison in Paris by helicopter

France 24: A notorious career thief who was once France's most-wanted man pulled off a daring jailbreak on Sunday, fleeing a prison in the Paris area by helicopter, officials said. Redoine…

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01

Jul

Trump suggests ‘France should leave the EU’ to Macron

The Independent (UK) Donald Trump suggested to Emmanuel Macron he should pull France out of the European Union to get a better trade deal with the US, according to reports. The outlandish proposal came in a private meeting during…

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01

Jul

Sunday Morning Briefing

Good morning Sunday's morning briefing follows. Spain said that Barcelona will be the docking port for an aid boat that rescued 60 migrants in waters near Libya but was not…

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30

Jun

World Cup: France 4 Argentina 3

France 4 vs Argentina 3  In the first of the Round of 16 encounters at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™, France defeated Argentina 4-3 in a spectacular game to…

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29

Jun

France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States state that Libyan vital oil resources should remain under exclusive control of National Oil Corporation

Libya Observer: France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States have issued a joint statement demanding keeping the Libyan vital oil resources, facilities and terminals under the exclusive control of…

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29

Jun

Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Our morning briefing for Friday 29th June follows:   News about an agreement between European Leaders on migration during the European Council meeting broke at dawn. It was…

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28

Jun

French government plan to bring back national service

BBC: The French government has introduced a plan to bring back national service for all 16-year-olds. It was an idea put forward by Emmanuel Macron in his presidential campaign, to…

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28

Jun

Thursday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning, The arrival of MV Lifeline in Malta, the agreement for a Putin-Trump summit and the elimination of Germany from the World Cup are among the most salient news…

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27

Jun

INSIGHT: Italy vs France – How oil interests and territorial control are fuelling the migration disputes and stand offs

Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that it is not all as it seems in the very tough clash between Italy and France, between Matteo Salvini and Emmanuel Macron on immigration; a real diplomatic…

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27

Jun

Wednesday’s Morning Briefing

Good morning, Here is our Wednesday's morning briefing. The Malta Independent and The Times report the latest developments about the MV Lifeline. The Independent focuses on the fact Malta yesterday signalled its willingness…

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27

Jun

Macron and Conte meet to defuse tension between the two over immigration

A report on Financial Times says that Giuseppe Conte and Emmanuel Macron held an unscheduled dinner this week to defuse tension over immigration — the issue convulsing European politics and which threatens…

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26

Jun

French butchers issue plea for police protection against vegans

The Telegraph / EuroNews French butchers have issued a plea for police protection against vegans, whom they blame for a series of attacks designed to “spread terror” among meat-lovers. The butchers…

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25

Jun

Eu Migration Summit

An emergency mini summit Sunday of EU leaders seeking a common solution on migration yielded a breakthrough, of sorts: a general agreement to stop seeking an overall, common solution. It…

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24

Jun

Sunday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Our Morning Briefing follows. We start off highlighting comments given by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that"Malta will stick to its position on migration" Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said…

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24

Jun

Macron in favour of sanctions against EU countries which refuse to accept migrants

France 24: French President Emmanuel Macron came out Saturday in support of financial sanctions against EU countries which refuse to accept migrants. "We can not have countries that benefit hugely from EU solidarity…

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22

Jun

France’s and Germany’s proposal for common eurozone budget faces resistance from other countries

The Financial Times reports that France and Germany are facing a growing backlash from other Eurozone governments against their plans for a common eurozone budget, dealing a blow to the two countries’…

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22

Jun

Italy’s government in fresh rows with France and Spain

A new day, a new controversy. Italy said it will seize two migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean, amid a deepening row over migrants. Two German NGO ships carrying migrants…

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22

Jun

World Cup Round Up Day 8

Denmark 1 Australia 1 Denmark and Australia played in an evenly-fought, intense contest, ending in a 1-1 draw in their second match in Group C at the 2018 FIFA World…

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19

Jun

French President gives youth a lesson on how to behave with respect

France24 A floppy-haired French teenager asked, “Ca va, Manu?” (How’s it going, Manu?) to Macron as he greeted the crowds at an event to honour World War II Resistance fighters near Paris on Monday. Even before calling…

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18

Jun

Asylum seeking applications in Europe down by 44% compared to 2016. Approximately 15% of asylum seekers come from Syria – EASO

The total number of asylum applications throughout all of the EU, plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, last year, was 728,470, or some 44 percent less when compared to 2016,…

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