Added-value for Russia diamond ban, as G7 and EU prepare sanctions
Russia's use of diamonds in corruption schemes in Europe and Africa gives upcoming G7 ban a strategic value beyond any moral or financial one, Ukraine says.
Column
Iceland pest-catcher in Ukraine shows Russia isolation
With an Icelandic rat-catcher in Kherson, Russia is scraping the barrel for fake election monitors, as the US threatens sanctions against those involved.
Opinion
Africa climate week proves continent not reliant on West
The Nairobi summit ultimately marked both the first unified voice of the continent in the fight against climate change, and the first time such an ambitious vision of Africa's clean energy prospects has been tabled at such a high-level forum.
Supported by
-
The Coalition for Fair Fisheries Arrangements is a platform of European and African-based organizations that raises awareness about the impacts of the EU-Africa fisheries arrangements on African artisanal fishing communities.
-
The Brussels International Center (BIC) is an independent, non-profit, think-and-do tank based in the capital of Europe that is committed to developing solutions to address the cyclical drivers of insecurity, economic fragility, and conflict in the Middle East and Africa.
EU aid for Africa risks violating spending rules, Oxfam says
EU money spent on migration in Tunisia, Libya, and Niger is likely breaching its own and international aid rules, according to a new report by Oxfam.
EU 'exploring' anti-migrant naval blockade
The European Commission won't rule out discussing a naval blockade to stop migrants and refugees from fleeing North African countries like Tunisia.
EU watchdog launches rights probe into Tunisia agreement
Questions are mounting on how the EU intends to safeguard rights in a migrant busting agreement signed over the summer with Tunisia's autocrat government.
Opinion
The failure of the Just Energy Transition Fund in South Africa
Just two years on, the sheen has slowly begun to dull on the Just Energy Transition Partnerships — which have thus far been signed by the governments of South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam and, most recently, Senegal.
Hungary follows Turkey with new row on Sweden's Nato entry
Hungary is now threatening to halt Nato's war-time expansion over a 10-minute Swedish video-clip it doesn't like.
EU commission praises autocrat Tunisia for sea rescues
The European Commission has evoked sea rescues carried out by the Tunisian coast guard as evidence that a recent controversial deal with Tunis is helping migrants and others fleeing the country.
Frontex chief hesitates launching operations in Africa
Hans Leijtens, the head of the EU's border agency Frontex, is reluctant to launch operations in Africa, as discussions continue to secure agreements with Senegal and Mauritania.
Nairobi summit ends with African call for global carbon tax
Kenyan president William Ruto, representing African leaders, called for new global carbon taxes and reforms to the financial system to help fund climate action on the continent.
Africa's high green borrowing costs big obstacle, study finds
Rapid action is needed to improve access to capital and lower financing costs to unlock "a wave" of clean-energy spending in Africa, according to a new report.
EU pledges support for African finance reform at summit
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen pledged support for African financial reform bid at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi — but did not go into details, and left before she was scheduled to discuss the topic further.
Kenya hosts first-ever Africa Climate Summit
Kenyan president William Ruto launched the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi and showcased the continent's potential as a clean energy powerhouse. Africa contains 60 percent of the world's solar potential, massive geothermal capacity and CO2-absorbing tropical forests.
Letter
Right of Reply: Ethiopian embassy responds to Human Rights Watch
In her article, Laetitia Bader expresses doubts about the Ethiopian government's ability to deliver justice. We would like to provide insight into Ethiopia's significant efforts in implementing transitional justice policies, fostering healing, and building a more inclusive and just society.
Prighozin death shows Putin criminality, EU says
The apparent state murder of Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prighozin shows Russia is a mafia regime, Germany and other EU countries have said.
EU's migration plans in Niger in balance after coup
The EU's expansive cooperation with Niger to stem migration may be in the balance following the 26 July military coup that ousted president Mohamed Bazoum.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- The Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
- Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
- UNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
- Georgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
- Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
- Global interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
BRICS summit: no Putin, but leaders plan to expand bloc
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are meeting in Johannesburg to assess the group's expansion — and boost their currencies against the West. Russian president Vladimir Putin is the only leader not expected to attend in person.
Opinion
How the EU can help Tunisia avoid a total economic crash
Tunisia possesses both the necessary ingredients and the capacity to invigorate its economy to become a 'Mediterranean tiger'. Yet, this potential has remained largely untapped since the dawn of its 2011 uprising.
Lethal week for EU-bound migrants, as 68 more people die
Some 41 people drowned en route to Italy, while 27 others died of heat-related complications in the Libyan desert this week.
EU flights disrupted as Niger closes sky
Europe-Africa flight paths are being redrawn, as the Niger putsch threatens to escalate into a regional-scale war.
Remote Atlantic Ocean rock could host migrants, UK says
The UK is threatening to deport irregular migrants to Ascension Island if its plan to send people to Rwanda fails, amid another lethal shipwreck in the Mediterranean.
'The boats will not stop', as migrants try to escape Tunisia violence
Sub-Saharan migrants escaping racism and violence in Tunisia are reaching Italy in record numbers — despite an EU push to halt migration.
Analysis
How Prighozin tried to steal Putin's Africa summit
Mercenary boss Prigozhin tried to use Niger putsch to steal limelight at Africa summit, even though Wagner played no role in the coup, sources say.
Split on Africa Big-Agri sees boycott at UN food summit
At its heart, the two sides have different ideas about how this transformation should take place: by increasing production through further industrialisation — or by making the system more equitable and sustainable.
Russian flags waved as putsch topples Niger leader
The sudden toppling of the EU's main ally in the Sahel has punctured Western schadenfreude on Russia's Africa-summit flop.
Little love from Africa for Putin at lavish summit
Just 17 African leaders are going to Putin's summit despite his food-deal games, in a sign of how the Ukraine war has harmed his standing.
Analysis
EU concern on migration from Tunisia was years in the making
The EU agreement with Tunisia on 16 July follows similar past efforts, dating back to 2014, to stem migration, shore up borders, and ease Tunisians into more lucrative jobs in Europe.
Tunisia abusing African migrants, says leading NGO
Tunisian security forces have been committing serious abuses against black African migrants, says leading NGO Human Rights Watch. The findings comes against the backdrop of a EU-Tunisia deal to stem migration flows.
Cumbersome visas complicate Tunisia jobs deal with EU
An EU-Tunisia deal includes promoting legal migration to undermine smuggling — but also hinges on member states easing cumbersome Schengen visa applications.
EU leadership returns to Tunisia for second time in a month
European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen is returning to Tunis along with the prime ministers of Italy and the Netherlands, Giorgia Meloni and Mark Rutte.
Column
The dangerous decline in the EU's 'moral compass'
Dunja Mijatović, the Council of Europe's fearless commissioner for human rights, has warned of the EU's "alarming level of tolerance to serious human-rights violations [of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants]...now so frequent that they hardly register in the public consciousness."
Tensions and a murder at Tunisia's departure port for Lampedusa
Sfax, Tunisia's second-largest city, has become a hub for sub-Saharan migrants because it is the closest departure point for Europe, just 190km from the Italian island of Lampedusa. That's created tension with locals, who often view them as adversaries.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- 20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
- Join CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
- Seven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
- World Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
- Nordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
- Think-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
