European Union

EU Eyes Building 'Drone Wall': Question is, What is It?

European Union leaders are discussing setting up a "drone wall" of defences after high-profile air incursions by Russia. But the plan appears to mean different things to different countries, and not everyone seems entirely convinced. Here's where we stand: Eastern shield?  The first call for the project came last month from EU chief Ursula ...

Moscow Talks: Syria and Russia Confront Sensitive Issues

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa will visit Moscow on October 15 to attend the Russia-Arab League summit, according to al-Hadath. This marks the first high-level meeting between Syria’s new leadership in Damascus and the Kremlin. The visit comes as several sensitive issues remain unresolved, including the future of Russian military bases in ...

Two Arrests Made over UK Synagogue Attack

Two suspects were arrested over the attack near a synagogue in Manchester in which two people were killed Thursday and three badly wounded, anti-terrorism police said. The car and stabbing attack was carried out outside a packed synagogue, with the suspect believed shot dead by UK police. As the Jewish community marked the holiday of Yom Kippur ...

Macron Urges Europe to ‘Increase Pressure’ on Russia’s Shadow Fleet

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europe Thursday to take coordinated action against Russia's so-called shadow fleet and follow his country's lead in clamping down on vessels used to bust Western sanctions. France is currently investigating a Benin-flagged ship that is among hundreds of ageing tankers blacklisted by the European ...

Zelensky at European Summit as EU Seeks to Bolster Backing

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to join talks with leaders from across Europe in Copenhagen Thursday, as the EU seeks to bolster Kyiv's fight against Russia in the face of dwindling US support. Heads of state and governments from just under 50 countries will converge on a conference centre under tight security after mystery drone ...

Denmark PM Urges 'Very Strong Answer' to Russia's 'Hybrid War'

Denmark said Wednesday that Europe needs to step up its response to a "hybrid war" being waged by Russia, after mysterious drone flights and a spate of airspace violations rattled European Union members. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned the continent is facing the "most difficult and dangerous situation" since the ...

Swedish PM says Russia Likely Behind Airport Drones

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said Monday Russia was likely behind mysterious drone flights over several Scandinavian airports ahead of an EU summit in Copenhagen. Drone sightings across Norway and Denmark in particular since September 22 have prompted the closure of several airports. Speaking to broadcaster TV4, Kristersson said "the ...

EU Confirms Reimposition of Iran Sanctions after UN move

The European Union confirmed on Monday it had reimposed sweeping sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program after the United Nations reinstated its overarching measures. The UN took that step over the weekend after Western powers triggered the so-called "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 nuclear accord. The sanctions reintroduced by ...

EU Weighs Tariffs on Russian Oil Imports

The European Commission said Wednesday that it was working on potentially imposing tariffs on imports of Russian oil into the bloc, in the face of pressure from US President Donald Trump. Trump has demanded that Europe end energy imports from Moscow before agreeing to move ahead with punishing sanctions against Moscow over the war in ...

EU Urges Full Respect of Lebanon-Israel Ceasefire

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday called for “full respect and implementation” of the November ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, following deadly violence in southern Lebanon. An EU spokesperson condemned Sunday’s Israeli raid in the town of Kfar Tibnit, where civilians, including three children, lost their ...

Iranian, European Ministers to Hold Nuclear Talks Tuesday

Iranian and European ministers will hold nuclear talks in New York on Tuesday, a French diplomatic source said, after the UN Security Council voted to reimpose sanctions over Tehran's atomic program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has until the end of Saturday to reach a deal with his British, French, German and EU counterparts to avoid ...

Public Sector Shake-Up: 10,000 Jobs Under Review

A total of 2,600 job titles are set to be eliminated from the public administration, as proposed by Nisrine Machmouchi, President of the Civil Service Council. These roles, considered obsolete, are the result of years of what she describes as “anarchic recruitment” and “unusual” job titles, often lacking clear job descriptions. To ...