Med & South
Lebanon vote brings blow for Hezbollah allies in preliminary results
Iran-backed Hezbollah has been dealt a blow in Lebanon's parliamentary election on Sunday (15 May) with preliminary results showing losses for some of its oldest allies and the Saudi-aligned Lebanese Forces party saying it had gained seats.
EU urges independent probe into Al Jazeera reporter’s West Bank killing
The European Union on Wednesday (11 May) condemned the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, and demanded an independent investigation into the circumstances of her death.
EU urges ‘not to give up on Syria’ amid Russia’s war on Ukraine
The Syrian humanitarian crisis remains among the EU’s top priorities, the bloc's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said at the sixth pledging conference for the war-torn Middle-Eastern country in Brussels on Tuesday (10 May).
Palestine refugee agency could ‘implode’, UN warns
The collapse of the international agency responsible for Palestinian refugees due to chronic underfunding by UN countries could lead to unpredictable consequences in an already unstable region, experts and officials warn.
Palestinians warn against plans to weaken their UN agency
A proposal by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to delegate some services to other United Nations agencies has sparked outrage among Palestinians, who have warned of a plot to "dismantle" the body.
Algeria threatens to cut gas contract with Spain
Gas giant Algeria threatened Wednesday (27 April) to break a contract to supply gas to Spain if Madrid transferred it onwards to "a third destination", amid tensions with regional rival Morocco.
US open to Western Sahara options as Morocco steps up lobbying effort
The United States is keeping its options open on the future of Western Sahara as Morocco, which claims sovereignty over the disputed territory, is trying to garner wider international support from its European neighbours.
Migrant found dead after shooting at Greece-Turkey border
A woman migrant has been found dead after a shooting erupted as she and others tried to cross into Greece from Turkey by boat, Greek police told AFP on Sunday (18 April).
More than 150 hurt as Palestinians clash with Israeli police at Jerusalem holy site
More than 150 people were wounded Friday (15 April) in clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli police in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, the first face-off at the flashpoint holy site since the start of Ramadan.
Fear and frustration at EU silence on Tunisia’s slide to autocracy
“There is a high level of public fear,” Ahmed Gaaloul, told EURACTIV, as Tunisia fragile democracy faces growing threats from an increasingly autocratic President.
Spain’s Sanchez visits Morocco as tensions ease
Morocco's King Mohammed VI hosted Spain's prime minister on Thursday (7 April) in a landmark visit ending a year-long diplomatic crisis after Madrid reversed decades of neutrality on the Western Sahara conflict in a U-turn that has angered Algeria.
EU to maintain Tunisia funding despite slide towards autocracy
The EU is to continue providing budget support to Tunisia, the European Commission announced, even as the country’s controversial President Kais Saied moved to immediately dissolve parliament after it voted to repeal his decision to freeze democratic institutions and rule by decree.
Rare Israeli-Arab summit convenes, Blinken seeks to reassure allies on Iran
Israeli and Arab partners convened for a rare summit in Israel on Sunday (27 March) attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who sought to reassure the US allies over Washington's diplomacy with Iran.
Migrant crisis continues in Mediterranean, dozens of women and children dead
With all eyes on the influx of millions of Ukrainian refugees into Eastern Europe and beyond, the crisis in the Mediterranean is also continuing with 100 saved and dozens of women and babies drowned over the last few days.
UN warns pushbacks of migrants in Europe becoming ‘normalised’
The UN refugee chief voiced alarm Monday (22 February) at increasing violence against refugees and migrants at European borders, warning that rights abuses and illegal pushbacks across frontiers risked becoming "normalised".
Clashes as controversial Israeli lawmaker visits Jerusalem flashpoint
Israeli police clashed with Palestinians in the flashpoint east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah on Sunday (13 February) during a visit by a controversial far-right Jewish lawmaker that inflamed tensions.
Tunisia’s democracy on the brink as President Saied cracks down
North Africa's last remaining democracy following 2010's Arab Spring, Tunisia, is facing an existential political and constitutional crisis, six months after the country’s president suspended parliament and announced he would govern by decree.
EU reports ‘positive signs’ in Libya despite poll delay
The EU will continue to train the Libyan coastguard to control migration and border security, and sees ‘some positive signs’ despite the postponement of elections in the war torn North African state last month.
European countries urge Israel to stop construction in East Jerusalem
The foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy and Spain urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday evening (19 January) to stop the construction of new housing units in East Jerusalem.
NGO: Human lives at stake as Italy blocks migrant rescue ship
Delays caused by the blocking of the Ocean Viking rescue ship by Italian port authorities have put human lives at stake, Julia Schaefermeyer, communications officer at SOS Mediterranean, the NGO that charters the vessel, has told EURACTIV.
Greece fumes as Washington loses interest in EastMed gas pipeline
The United States is no longer supporting the construction of EastMed gas pipeline project as Washington’s interest is now switching to renewable energy sources, according to a State Department statement. According to Greek media, the move profits Turkey.
Abbas to Putin: West Bank poised for ‘explosion’
Israeli policies risk triggering an "explosion" in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas said Thursday (30 December) in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Palestinian state media said.
Tunisia opposition condemns extension of parliament freeze
Opponents of Tunisian President Kais Saied on Tuesday (14 December) slammed his decision to extend a months-long suspension of parliament, accusing him of dealing another blow to the country's nascent democracy.