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.
Editor's choice
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
Live blog
Live Blog - 19 April 2020

Live Blog - 19 April 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has created controversy in many Christian Orthodox communities as to how to keep tradition whilst observing the strict health rules imposed by governments. We have updates how communities around the world celebrated Orthodox Easter
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Live blog
Live Blog - 18 April 2020

Live Blog - 18 April 2020

The Orthodox World has over the last weeks been caught in controversy over its approach to coronavirus, and its response to the measures introduced by governments in most countries to protect their populations. This polemic will reach its climax this weekend as Orthodox communities across the world celebrate Easter.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 17 April 2020

Live Blog - 17 April 2020

Whilst the worldwide battle against covid-19 continues, countries are starting to think how a way out of lockdown can be found. In some parts of the world, including the Middle East, the response has differed from country to country, and for some there is fear that the worst is yet to come.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 16 April 2020

Live Blog - 16 April 2020

Around the world thousands of scientists are working in more than seventy scientific and research hubs to develop such a vaccine;
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Live blog
Live Blog - 15 April 2020

Live Blog - 15 April 2020

Many people across the world have this week entered a second month of lockdown. The lives of billions of people have been disrupted, as have the economic activity of most countries. But the human spirit has not been defeated and is fighting back.
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News
Does your dog bite?

Does your dog bite?

How are our four-legged friends affected during the pandemic? William Murray has some useful advice.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 13 April 2020

Live Blog - 13 April 2020

News of deaths across the world leave us all sad and sorrowful. Russia in the last twenty four hours reported 2558 new cases of covid-19. But stories of how the human spirit is fighting on from one end of the world to another, fill us with hope.
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Live blog
Live Blog - 12 April 2020

Live Blog - 12 April 2020

This Easter Sunday political and religious leaders issued messages urging courage and resilience as the world continues to struggle against the coronavirus pandemic. In Rome, Pope Francis made a passionate appeal calling for a cease-fire in all conflict areas, and for countries to work together to fight the pandemic and more.