Region

EU plus

Stories in this section cover the EU-27 countries plus the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra and the Balkan Countries (Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia).

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News
EU to push for sanctions on Israel ministers and suspend bilateral support

EU to push for sanctions on Israel ministers and suspend bilateral support

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated she would push to sanction "extremist" Israeli ministers and curb trade ties over Gaza, as she warned famine should not be used as a "weapon of war". Addressing the European Parliament on 10 September in the annual State of the Union, von der Leyen lamented that divisions among member states were holding back a European response but insisted the European Commission "will do all that it can on its own". "What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic," von der Leyen said. The German politician said the Commission would put its bilateral support to Israel on hold, stopping all payments, but without affecting work with civil society groups and Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
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Opinion
What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

The agreements reached in the US-mediated summit of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Washington on August 8 are poised to fundamentally reshape the region's future. Particularly, the deal concerning the Zangezur corridor – rebranded as the “Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) – holds significant geopolitical importance. If implemented, the TRIPP agreement would deal a severe blow to the regional standing of Russia and Iran. More importantly, it would pave the way for a strategic U.S. presence in this critical geography. This outcome represents a success that few would have predicted for the United States, especially for the Trump administration, given the region's notoriously complex and volatile geopolitics.

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Editor's choice
News
COVID-19 Disinformation

COVID-19 Disinformation

EU report speaks of co-ordinated campaigns promoting false health information and disinformation
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Live blog
Live Blog - 27 April 2020

Live Blog - 27 April 2020

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has now exceeded three million, and more than 200,000 have died - more than half of them in Europe. Countries however are starting to look at how to return to normality, and we ask if wearing a mask is going to be the new normal?
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Live blog
Live Blog - 24 April 2020

Live Blog - 24 April 2020

European leaders have agreed that Europeans are all in this together, and will together have to work to rebuild what has been destroyed. The European Union is an imperfect organisation, but undoubtedly it is needed now more then ever.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 23 April 2020

Live Blog - 23 April 2020

For millions of Muslims around the world this evening marks the start of the Holy Month of Ramadan – a month of fasting and reflection.
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News
Saying it with Art

Saying it with Art

In different ways, art can play a crucial role in times of crises, writes William Murray.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 22 April 2020

Live Blog - 22 April 2020

All over the world people are adapting to a new normal. Many people wonder if coronavirus will change the way we live, for ever. But with the number of deaths worldwide reaching 180,000 defeating the virus remains the first priority.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 21 April 2020

Live Blog - 21 April 2020

All over the world artists, musicians and other entertainers are rallying around in communities and on-line to keep up spirits, say thank you to those on the front line of the battle against coronavirus, and generally keep us all amused and entertained in these difficult times.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 20 April 2020

Live Blog - 20 April 2020

As coronavirus sweeps over the world, Russia, and particularly the capital city Moscow, has started to feel the impact of the pandemic. All soldiers who were rehearsing for the Victory Day parade, which has now been cancelled, have been put in quarantine after several soldiers tested positive for covid-19