Biden Welcomes Trump To The White House

Nov 14 2024

Donald Trump returned to the White House on Wednesday as president-elect, welcomed by outgoing President Joe Biden, who upheld a tradition Trump had previously broken in 2020.

This symbolic meeting followed the Republicans securing a majority in the House of Representatives, giving Trump complete control of Congress.

The two shook hands in the Oval Office, with Biden, 81, offering his congratulations and pledging a smooth transition of power.

Trump’s re-entry into office is marked by his selection of key loyalists for top positions. Matt Gaetz, a staunch Trump ally, was appointed attorney general, though he faces scrutiny due to an ongoing ethics investigation.

Trump also named Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, while Fox News host Pete Hegseth was picked as defence secretary despite limited experience.

Additionally, Trump tapped billionaire Elon Musk to lead a new government spending reform group.

In Washington, Trump suggested openness to a third term, which would violate constitutional limits, hinting at a bold agenda. Both Biden and Trump struck a courteous tone during the transition discussions, with Biden urging continued U.S. support for Ukraine despite Trump’s prior skepticism.

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6.9 Million Travellers Through Malta Airport January-September

Nov 14 2024

Passenger traffic at Malta International Airport (MIA) rose significantly between January and September 2024, bringing in 6.9 million passengers and generating €107.8 million in revenue, with a net profit of €39.5 million.

This performance was supported by extensive capital investment totaling €39.7 million, funding major projects like Apron 8 South, phase one of the Terminal Expansion, and a new VIP terminal.

October also marked a strong month, with passenger traffic increasing by 8.7% year-over-year to reach 838,393 movements—exceeding 800,000 for the first time in a single month.

Seat capacity grew by 6.5%, and the Seat Load Factor rose to 86.5%. Key markets driving this growth included Italy, the UK, and Germany, which together accounted for over half of the airport’s passenger base.

France and Poland followed, with Poland seeing the highest growth at nearly 50%.

Based on strong year-to-date performance, MIA has updated its full-year projections, expecting 8.96 million passengers, €141 million in revenue, €85 million in EBITDA, €46 million in net profit, and a CAPEX of €64 million.

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4 Men Arrested For Trafficking 146kg Of Cocaine At Freeport

Nov 14 2024

A drug operation was conducted successfully by the Malta Police Force at the free port which led to the arrest of four persons and the seizing of 146kg of drugs, allegedly cocaine, meant for the local market.

During routine inspections by the Malta Police and the local security of the harbour, a trailer was stopped at around 1340hrs.

During an inspection in the cabin, 105kg of a drug suspected to be cocaine were found. Further investigations in the same container yielded 41kg of suspected cocaine, adding up to an estimated 146kg and a street value of €20 million.

The drug is suspected to have originated from Guayaquil, Ecuador and was meant to be sold in the local market. Apart from the driver and the passenger of the trailer, another two free port workers were arrested.

The four Maltese were a 44 year old man resident of Birzebbuga, a 46 year old man resident of Fgura, a 36 year old man resident of Haz-Zebbug and a 41 year old man resident of Haz-Zabbar.

An inquiry has been opened and investigations are ongoing.

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Minions, Avatar Garden & More Added To The Malta Illuminated Trail This Year

Nov 13 2024

The Magical Illuminated Trail is back to light up the festive season at Verdala Palace Gardens from December 4th to January 4th! This year, the much-loved event introduces a host of new, enchanting lantern installations that promise a magical experience for visitors of all ages. Among the new additions, visitors can marvel at ‘The Mischievous Minions’—a lively tribute to everyone’s favourite animated troublemakers. For those with a taste for fantasy, ‘The Wizard and His Magical Book of Spells’ awaits, casting an enchanting aura over the gardens.

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Explore ‘The Avatar Garden,’ a mesmerising display inspired by mystical worlds, and stroll through ‘The Dazzling Rainbow Forest,’ where colours dance in the trees to create an unforgettable spectacle. Each lantern, carefully crafted, adds a unique touch of wonder, making the trail a true winter wonderland.

This year’s event is organised in support of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, with the collaboration of the Malta Tourism Authority. Don’t miss your chance to step into this magical world and make memories with loved ones. For tickets and more information, visit www.illuminatedtrailmalta.com.

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