Belgium approves ban on imports from Israeli settlements as EU remains deadlocked
Belgium has approved a ban on importing goods produced in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The decision was taken at the federal government's final cabinet meeting before the summer break, according to the Belgian News Agency. It makes Belgium one of a small but growing number of European countries to act unilaterally on the issue.The move fulfils a commitment made last year amid concern over Israel's bombardment of Gaza and the scale of the death toll there. Belgian foreign minister Maxime Prevot had pressed EU counterparts earlier this week in Brussels for a bloc-wide ban, but ministers remain... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 18 Jul 2026 18:03 LONDON
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EU foreign policy chief visits naval mission in the Red Sea
EU foreign policy chief Kallas has visited the European Union naval mission operating in the Red Sea, according to a report published on 17 July. The visit comes as the waterway remains a strategically important shipping corridor and a focus of maritime security concerns. The report did not provide further operational details about the trip.The mission is part of the EU's wider effort to monitor and protect maritime traffic in the area. Kallas's presence with the naval mission underlines the political attention being given to the Red Sea route, which is closely watched because of its importance to international trade... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Jul 2026 21:03 LONDON
Germany renews push for EU force to replace UNIFIL in Lebanon
Germany has renewed its call for the European Union to deploy a force in southern Lebanon before the United Nations peacekeeping mission there ends at the close of the year. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin wants to avoid a security vacuum once UNIFIL withdraws, and argued that any new arrangement should help create conditions for an Israeli withdrawal from the area. He also said such a force would need to stop Hezbollah from returning to the south.Wadephul made the comments in an interview with a German broadcaster on Friday, according to the supplied report. He said Germany has proposed... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 17 Jul 2026 11:00 LONDON
EU commissioner urges member states to cut visas for Russian citizens
The European Union's internal affairs commissioner has urged member states to reduce the number of visas issued to Russian citizens, saying current levels are incompatible with support for Ukraine. Magnus Brunner made the remarks during an informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers in Dublin on Thursday. He said the bloc needed to do more to bring down visa numbers, which he described as still too high.Brunner said member states were being asked to reduce the number of visas they issue to Russian citizens. He noted that the figure was down from around four million visas a year... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 16 Jul 2026 19:03 LONDON
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EU and UK sign Gibraltar treaty as border checks are lifted
The European Union and Britain have formally signed a treaty on Gibraltar that is intended to end border checks between the territory and Spain. The agreement was signed in Brussels on Tuesday and is due to take effect from Wednesday, allowing thousands of people who cross the land border each day to do so without a physical checkpoint. It is being presented as a way to provide economic and trade certainty while preserving British sovereignty and the operation of UK military facilities.Under the new arrangements, Gibraltar residents will be able to cross into Spain using residence cards without passport stamps,... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jul 2026 13:01 LONDON
EU extends Ukrainians' right to stay until 2028, with new draft rule for arrivals
EU member states have agreed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians fleeing the war until March 2028. The decision means people who already hold the status will be able to continue living, working and receiving benefits across the bloc for longer. The move comes as the war in Ukraine continues into its fifth year and the displacement crisis remains one of the largest in Europe.Ambassadors from the 27 member states approved the extension on Wednesday, according to the supplied material. The current protection regime was first activated after Russia's 2022 invasion, giving Ukrainians a fast-track legal basis to remain in... [Continue Reading]
360LiveNews | 15 Jul 2026 12:32 LONDON
