european union

Three-Quarters of UN Members Support Palestinian Statehood

Three-quarters of UN members have already or soon plan to recognize Palestinian statehood, with Australia on Monday becoming the latest to promise it will at the UN General Assembly in September. The Israel-Hamas war, raging in Gaza since the Palestinian militant group's attack on October 7, 2023, has revived a global push for Palestinians to be ...

EU to Hold Urgent Ukraine Talks Before Trump-Putin Meeting

EU foreign ministers will hold emergency talks on Monday to discuss their next steps before talks between presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, as Europe fears any deal made without Ukraine could force unacceptable compromises. The two leaders will meet in the US state of Alaska on Friday to try to resolve the three-year war but the ...

European Leaders Urge More ‘Pressure’ on Russia Ahead of Trump-Putin Summit

European leaders urged more "pressure" on Russia overnight Saturday, after the announcement of a Trump-Putin summit to end the war in Ukraine raised concern that an agreement would require Kyiv to cede swathes of territory. Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump will meet in the US state of Alaska this Friday to try to resolve the ...

Deal or Tariffs? The World Under Trump’s Trade Rule

On August 7, the Trump administration is touting a major win: its vision for global trade has taken root, driven by tweets, tariff threats, and real-world results. Under the “America First” banner, a new wave of trade agreements is redrawing the commercial map between the US and the rest of the world. From compliant partners to the Trump Tower ...

Trump Tariffs Don't Spare His Fans in EU

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised that the return of his "dear friend" Donald Trump as US president would usher in a new "golden age". But trade unionist Zoltan Laszlo says Hungary's auto industry has seen the opposite as the United States announced new tariffs, with order cancellations and workflow disruptions marking employees' ...

Israeli Hostage Videos: Standoff Between Netanyahu and Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday to aid hostages in Gaza, as outrage built at videos showing two of them emaciated. The premier's office said he spoke to the ICRC coordinator for the region, Julien Lerisson, and "requested his involvement in providing ...

Beirut Port Scans 60 Containers per Hour with AI-Powered Technology

The Ministry of Finance is accelerating its efforts to modernize Lebanon’s customs operations. With a clear goal of enhancing public revenue collection, a large-scale digital transformation is underway, impacting both the Directorate of Revenues and the Customs Directorate. Key initiatives include the gradual rollout of electronic payment ...

From Strategy to Reality: What Will It Take to Disarm Hezbollah?

The question of disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon, long a political taboo, is now back at the heart of both political and diplomatic discussions. This shift comes amid mounting international pressure and a changing balance of power in the region. Although the topic remains deeply divisive within Lebanon’s political class, experts believe there are ...

Azerbaijan: The Triumph of Pragmatism over Religious Identity

In the heart of the Caucasus, Azerbaijan stands out for its unconventional geopolitical alignments. Though predominantly Shia in religious composition, this secular post-Soviet republic has positioned itself as one of Israel’s closest allies and a strategic partner to the West, all while maintaining a strained relationship with neighboring ...

EU's Automated Border System to Launch in October

The European Union announced Wednesday that a delayed new border-check system for non-EU nationals, which will do away with passport stamps, will finally launch in October. The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES), was initially supposed to kick in last November but was pushed back at the last minute as several countries were not ready. The EES ...

France, 14 Other Nations Urge Recognition of Palestinian State

France and 14 other Western nations called on countries worldwide to move to recognize a Palestinian state, France's top diplomat said Wednesday. The foreign ministers of 15 countries late Tuesday issued a joint statement following a conference in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, aimed at reviving a two-state solution between ...

Trump Redefines Global Trade Relations with the European Union

By finalizing a major trade agreement with the European Union, US President Donald Trump marks a decisive turning point for the American economy. The strategic deal, announced last Sunday, significantly reshapes transatlantic economic relations while reinforcing the United States’ industrial, energy and geopolitical sovereignty. Touted by the ...