About: failed state
Iraqi PM escapes ‘assassination attempt’ drone blast
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi escaped unhurt from an “assassination attempt” in which an explosives-packed drone hit his Baghdad residence early Sunday (7 November), a new escalation in the country’s post-election turmoil. US President Joe Biden condemned the “terrorist attack”...
Sudan coup imperils hard-won international backing
From the United States to the Arab league, the world reacted with alarm after an apparent coup in Sudan where armed forces on Monday (25 October) detained the prime minister.
Deadly shooting rocks Beirut as tensions over blast probe erupt
At least two people were killed in Beirut on Thursday when heavy gunfire targeted supporters of the Shi'ite group Hezbollah, as they headed to a protest demanding the removal of the judge investigating last year's explosion at the city's port.
US says Taliban talks in Doha were ‘candid and professional’
The United States said the first face-to-face meeting between senior US and Taliban officials since the hardline group retook power in Afghanistan was "candid and professional" and that the Taliban would be judged on their actions, not just their words.
Donors pledge $1.1 billion for ‘collapsing’ Afghanistan
Donors have pledged more than $1.1 billion to help Afghanistan, where poverty and hunger have spiralled since the Islamist Taliban took power, and foreign aid has dried up, raising the spectre of a mass exodus.
Borrell says EU can ‘do more’ to aid Libya polls
The European Union is "ready to do more" to help Libya organise elections planned for December, the bloc's chief diplomat Josep Borrell said Wednesday (8 September) in Tripoli.
Cyprus turns into second home to many Lebanese
Just as during the 1975-1990 civil war that ravaged their country, hundreds of Lebanese families are turning to neighbouring Cyprus to escape the miseries of everyday life back home.
EU, UN, US condemn the coup d’état in Guinea
The EU, the UN and the United States on Sunday (5 September) condemned what appears to be a military coup d’état in Guinea.
Taliban wrestle with Afghan economy in chaos, humanitarian crisis
Afghanistan's new Taliban rulers struggled to keep the country functioning on Wednesday (1 September) after the final withdrawal of US forces, with foreign donors alarmed about an impending humanitarian crisis.
Taliban hold political talks, Biden says ‘chaos’ was inevitable
Senior Taliban members have met with former president Hamid Karzai and senior official Abdullah Abdullah as they seek to form a government in Afghanistan, pledging it will be “positively different” from their brutal rule two decades ago. But thousands of...
EU gives 3 million euros in urgent quake funding to Haiti
The European Commission has set aside three million euros in urgent funding for aid groups to help victims of a deadly 7.2-magnitude quake that struck Haiti at the weekend.
Haiti hospitals overwhelmed by quake victims as death toll hits 1,297
Haiti's hospitals were swamped on Sunday (15 August) by thousands of injured residents after a devastating earthquake the day before killed at least 1,297 people as authorities raced to bring doctors to the worst-hit areas before a major storm hits.
European powers scramble to evacuate from Afghanistan as Taliban take over the country
The Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan was over after insurgents took control of the presidential palace in Kabul on Sunday (15 August), while European nations and the EU scrambled to evacuate their citizens and local staff from Kabul, as...
US, UK to launch evacuation flights as Taliban advance across Afghanistan
The United States and Britain ordered Friday (13 August) the deployment of thousands of troops to Afghanistan to evacuate their nationals, as the Taliban overran more key regional cities in an offensive that has left the capital dangerously exposed.
EU foreign policy chief urges Afghan government to work with Taliban
The Afghan government should engage with the Taliban to reach an inclusive settlement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday (12 August) as the militant group made rapid gains amid spiralling violence and worries of a refugee crisis.
Libya lawmakers approve interim government in key step towards elections
Libya's parliament on Wednesday (10 March) approved a unity government to lead the war-ravaged North African nation to December elections, a key step towards ending a decade of chaos.
UN-led talks elect Libyan transitional government, EU hails ‘milestone’
Libya embarked Saturday (6 February) on a new phase of its post-Gaddafi transition after an interim executive was selected to lead the country until December elections following a decade of chaos.
UN lists candidates to run Libya’s transitional government until this year’s vote
Participants at Libya’s UN-sponsored peace talks have approved a list of candidates seeking to lead a transitional government that will prepare the North African state for a national election at the end of 2021, the United Nations said.
Researchers: Saudi-led coalition is responsible for Yemen’s health crisis
Severe food and medical shortages caused by two years of devastating war are having a major impact on everyday life in Yemen, where thousands of children starve to death, researchers have warned, pointing out the responsibility of Saudi Arabia.
UK parliament says ‘Sophia’ saves lives, but has not stopped migrant smuggling
The European Union's Mediterranean naval force has failed to stop migrants from making the perilous sea journey to Europe and should not continue operating in its current form, British lawmakers said on Wednesday (12 July).
Libya, a smuggling hypermarket
Powerless against the disarray and growing anarchy that spreads around smuggling - of oil, gasoline, weapons and people - Hasan Dhawadi, mayor of the Libyan city of Sabratha, raised the alarm.