Author: staff

The United Nations said on Thursday it was “working on” maintaining a presence in Lebanon once the mandate for its UNIFIL peacekeeping force expires at the end of the year. “In terms of the post-UNIFIL, we’re currently in the process of working on these options,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, with the Lebanese government “very clear that they would want to keep a UN presence.” The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has served fulfilled peacekeeping duties between Israel and Lebanon since 1978 but finds itself caught in the crossfire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. UNIFIL…

The EU previously voiced concerns about anti-corruption efforts in Ukraine, and some Ukrainian lawmakers have objected to changes being demanded by Brussels. Kachka said these objections were a normal part of the democratic process, but that rule-of-law reforms were under way. Despite the optimism, the process will still be challenging. Capitals have already pushed back on the idea new countries could be waved through for geopolitical reasons, amid concerns that future governments could backslide on democracy and the rule of law, creating another confrontation like they have seen from Hungary. However, a broader discussion about reforming the process or admitting…

Published on 23/04/2026 – 20:30 GMT+2 Europe’s housing crisis is no longer looming — it’s already squeezing those least able to afford it: renters and low-income households. Over the past decade, prices have surged while wages have stagnated, leaving millions struggling to afford basic housing. The pressure is especially intense in Southern Europe, where rising rents, overtourism and short-term rentals in cities have pushed locals out, fueling protests and political backlash. At the same time, there is a lack of infrastructure. Countries like Germany and The Netherlands are missing construction targets and deadlines, while waiting lists for social housing keep…

Published on 23/04/2026 – 20:21 GMT+2 Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday that Israel was “prepared to resume the war against Iran,” adding that his country was awaiting a green light from the United States to return Iran to “the Stone Age.” “The IDF is ready both defensively and offensively and the targets have been marked,” Katz said in a video statement. “We are awaiting a green light from the United States, first and foremost to complete the elimination of the Khamenei dynasty…and additionally to return Iran to the Dark Age and the Stone Age by destroying key energy…

Kushner, via his company Affinity Partners, is negotiating to purchase the formerly uninhabited, 5-square-kilometer island in the Adriatic for $1.4 billion in order to turn it into a luxury eco-resort with high-end villas, marinas and bunkers for wealthy visitors. The plans have prompted howls of protest from environmental groups, with 41 organizations writing to Rama and his environment minister in January to urge the immediate breakoff of negotiations, arguing that the plans represent a “direct contradiction” of Albania’s obligations under the EU accession process.  Asked about the plans, Rama voiced frustration: “It’s incredible that even big channels, highly reputed worldwide,…

The country’s participation in the tournament has been questioned amid the ongoing U.S. and Israeli war in the Middle East, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated firmly in mid-April that the Iranian team “has to come” to the competition.   Four-time world champions Italy lost a playoff match on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month; its most recent appearance at the World Cup was in 2014 in Brazil. The case quickly became political, and Italy’s football federation President Gabriele Gravina was forced to step down. Despite the shock of missing the world’s biggest football tournament for the third time in a row, Italian officials…

However, Robbins, who opted to grant clearance to Mandelson, publicly voiced concern over the level of disclosure that the government has offered about the vetting process when he gave evidence to parliament this week. “British national security does not benefit from that, so we have to ask whose does,” he told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on Monday. He added: “I reflect honestly on my wonderful colleagues who are sat in the British embassy in Moscow or in the British embassy in Beijing and are subjected to incredible pressure… and of course I find myself wondering who this helps.” He…

Published on 23/04/2026 – 17:09 GMT+2•Updated 17:41 French liberal MEP Christophe Grudler told Euronews the Commission’s proposed European preference, once adopted, covering public procurement in strategic sectors such as clean tech, cars and energy-intensive industries (aluminium and steel) should be limited to a core group of non-EU countries. The “Made in Europe” provisions of the so-called “Industrial Accelerator Act” have triggered a fierce political battle between supporters, led by Germany and Nordic countries, of a broad definition including “like-minded” partners, and those, led by France, pushing for a narrower approach. In its proposal unveiled on 4 March, the Commission leaned…

Published on 23/04/2026 – 16:33 GMT+2 QatarEnergy has launched its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from the Golden Pass project in Texas, marking a milestone in its largest US investment. The cargo was loaded at the Sabine Pass facility, a joint venture with ExxonMobil, as the project moves towards full commercial operations. The shipment was carried onboard the Al-Qaiyyah LNG carrier, which has a capacity of 174,000 cubic metres. “This is a significant industry milestone that marks a new chapter in QatarEnergy’s global efforts to meet rising LNG demand and ensure reliable supplies to international markets,” said Saad Sherida…

It’s not all gloom and doom for folks planning a summer getaway. Let’s face it, we could all probably use an escape (or excuse) to reboot our wellbeing. While some airlines are expected to scale back flights in the coming months, new flight paths are also being added – just in time for European summer holiday planning. Finnair Finland’s flag carrier has started its rollout of 14 new destinations, from across Europe, to as far as Oceania. In March, Finnair added Stavanger, Norway; Umeå, Sweden; Catania, Italy and Luxembourg to its European network. All flights are available via its Helsinki…