European Union

Iceland rejects EU membership plan in referendum, after almost all votes were counted

Some 47.5% of voters supported the government's proposal while 52.5% said no, according to local broadcaster RUV's estimates. Final results are expected later on Sunday.

Tourists queue for a hot dog from Baejarins Beztu Pylsur stand ahead of a referendum on whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the European Union, in Reykjavik, Iceland, August 29, 2026.
An Icelandic flag flies outside Reykjavik City Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland, on August 27, 2026, two days ahead of a national referendum on whether Iceland should resume European Union accession negotiations.

Iceland votes on whether to start EU membership talks, results too close to call

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar hold a press conference at the ministry's offices in Jerusalem, May 22, 2025.

Israel hits back at 15 countries, EU over criticism of UNRWA compound seizure

 The border sign Luxembourg and the flag of Luxembourg (R), in Schengen, southern Luxembourg, on August 5, 2026.

Luxembourg ends Israel Bonds approvals, leaving future EU bond issuance uncertain


Moldovan prime minister Munteanu steps down in surprise trigger for government crisis

Munteanu, who has served as prime minister of the European Union candidate nation since November 2025, gave no full explanation for his decision.

Alexandru Munteanu, Moldova's Prime Minister, attends a meeting with members of the media in Chisinau, Moldova, October 28, 2025.

World's cutest minister? Sweden's climate minister brings three-month-old son to parliament

Sweden has one of the world's most generous parental leave policies, funded by the country's high-tax system, which has become a political flashpoint in the election campaign.

Swedish environment minister Romina Pourmokhtari sits in a meeting room with her baby, at a meeting of EU climate ministers in Luxembourg, June 25, 2026.

Serbian protesters maintain pressure on president after his claims of stepping down

Although many protesters expressed satisfaction over Vucic's resignation, they fear he may not fully relinquish power. Analysts say he may try to run for prime minister.

A DRONE picture shows people gathering for a protest, as part of a nationwide anti-government movement triggered by the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy in November 2024, following Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's resignation announcement, in Kraljevo, Serbia, June 28, 2026

Israel abortion application rates decline, with nearly all requests gaining approval, CBS reports

The rate of abortion applications decreased in 2024, and 99.8% of applications were approved in line with Israeli eligibility restrictions, reflecting high fertility rates among Israeli women.

 Picture of pills and medical file with the word abortion on it.

Hegseth said America will remember. Israeli defense companies should too – opinion

Pete Hegseth says the US will remember which allies stood with America during Epic Fury. Israeli defense industry should remember too

Octopus ISR Systems are pictured on a drone at the Eurosatory international defence and security exhibition in Villepinte, near Paris, France June 13, 2022.

EU diplomatic service proposes mission to train Lebanese forces, document shows

Discussion over a possible EU mission comes as the mandate of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon is set to expire at the end of 2026, when it is expected to begin a year-long drawdown and withdrawal.

Members of the Lebanese army stand guard next to an armoured personnel carrier, as people make their way back to their homes, following a peace deal between the United States and Iran, in Bir Al-Salasil, Tyre district, southern Lebanon, June 15, 2026.

When diplomats can’t read the shadows - opinion

Diplomacy begins with language. Yet language is never merely vocabulary. Every language carries its own history, literature, symbols, and collective memory. Words rarely travel alone.

An illustrative image of a number of European Union member states' flags leading up to the EU flag at the European Parliament headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

'Unconscionable': Human rights activist decry EU visas for Taliban officials

Since its return to power in Afghanistan, the Taliban has steadily rolled back on women’s rights, banning girls from age 13 from attending school, legalizing domestic violence and child marriage.

Taliban delegates arrive to meet with US and European delegates in Doha, Qatar, last week.

Hamas held 'top secret' meeting with French officials, discussed return to '1967 borders' - report

The meeting was reportedly the first since October 7 and came a few weeks after the French National Anti-Terror office announced that it had opened a preliminary investigation against Israel.

The Statue de la République with the Palestinian flag in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, at Place de la République in Paris on June 13, 2025

Sa'ar cites importance of Israel-Europe relations before meeting with EU Mediterranean Commissioner

"We believe in the importance of comprehensive, honest, and open dialogue with the EU," Sa'ar stated. "But 'dialogue' cannot just be one side dictating its political positions."

FOREIGN MINISTER Gideon Sa'ar and  European Union Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica.