English

Gavin Blackburn

Europe News

Frontex investigates Greece over alleged migrant rights violations

Greece has come under increased international scrutiny and criticism from human rights groups following a migrant boat sinking in 2023 off its southern coast that killed hundreds.

Libya

Libya cracks down on 10 NGOs providing aid to migrants

The Internal Security Agency said the organisations were also suspected of money laundering because they avoided transparency in how financial transfers are made for their projects.

Europe News

Kallas says Albania faces tricky reforms but its future is in the EU

Brussels decided in 2020 to start full membership negotiations with Albania, and talks began last October on how the Western Balkan country aligns with the EU in its fundamental principles.

Europe News

Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of scheme to legalise sales

While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers.

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Europe News

King Charles in Rome on first overseas trip since brief hospital stay

Charles is traveling with Queen Camilla on the four-day visit, which includes the first address to the Italian Parliament of a British monarch.

Europe News

Six cases of malnutrition among children found in Samos migrant camp

Doctors Without Borders Psarra says that the children in the Samos camp had already endured gruelling journeys and conditions inside the facility exacerbated their medical situation.

Europe News

Macron calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Gaza during visit to Egypt

Egypt, along with the United States and Qatar, were the major negotiators of the previous ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas which came into force on 19 January.

Europe News

Rescuers continue search for girl after migrant boat sank off Lesbos

The boat sank in the early hours of Thursday morning, killing seven people.

USA

Pentagon to review Hegseth's use of Signal to convey Yemen strike plan

The use of the app came to light when a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic, was inadvertently added to a Signal text chain by national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Europe News

Senator slams Pentagon 'mid-level' leaders on Europe troop level plan

While there has been no official announcement about any reduction in US military numbers in Europe, President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants NATO to do more to defend its own region.

Europe News

Bulgaria's government survives parliamentary no-confidence vote

The conservative GERB party condemned the motion as an attempt to derail Bulgaria’s desire to adopt the euro at the beginning of 2026, a move that would consolidate its European integration.

Israel

At least 50 killed in overnight Israeli air strikes on Gaza

Israel has vowed to escalate the nearly 18-month war with Hamas until the militant group returns dozens of remaining hostages, disarms and leaves the territory.

Europe News

Seven dead after migrant boat capsizes near Greek island of Lesbos

Greece is one of the main entry points into the EU for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with many making the short but treacherous journey from Turkey to Greek islands in inflatable dinghies.

Europe News

Greece to spend €25 billion on hi-tech overhaul of military

The initiative comes as European countries ramp up military spending in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and indications that the Trump administration wants to reduce the United States’ commitment to European defence.

Europe News

Poland's PM says party computer systems targeted in cyberattack

'Foreign interference in elections begins,' Tusk said in a post on X, a reference to next month's presidential ballot.

USA

US Senate confirms Matt Whitaker as Trump's ambassador to NATO

The US commitment to the military alliance has long been in doubt given Donald Trump’s sharp criticism of European allies and his apparent eagerness to foster ties with Vladimir Putin.

Israel

Netanyahu says Israel establishing new security corridor in Gaza

Last month, the Israeli military retook control of the Netzarim Corridor, which splits Gaza in two in the north, as part of the 19 January ceasefire deal.

Europe News

UK targets malign Russian influence with new registration requirement

The government said the new programme will be a key tool for the “detection and disruption of harmful activity against our country.”

Europe News

Fourth US soldier missing in Lithuania swamp found dead

The announcement comes after the bodies of three of the four US Army service personnel were found on Monday after their armoured Hercules vehicle was recovered from a peat bog.

Europe News

Starmer blames lack of joint action for UK migrant arrivals by boat

Despite law-enforcement cooperation with France and work with authorities in other countries along the migrant route, more than 6,600 people crossed the Channel in the first three months of this year, the highest number on record.

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