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Category: Europe-Asia

  • Macron condemns renewed Iranian Strikes on UAE, calls for security guarantees in Gulf

    Macron condemns renewed Iranian Strikes on UAE, calls for security guarantees in Gulf

    PARIS, France (NPA) — President Emmanuel Macron of France has condemned the resumption of missile attacks reportedly carried out by Iran against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), following UAE claims that its military intercepted incoming projectiles launched from Iranian positions.

    Macron said strikes targeting civilian infrastructure in the Gulf state were “unjustified and unacceptable,” warning that such actions risk further destabilising an already fragile regional security environment.

    “As it has done since the start of the conflict, France will continue to support its allies in the Emirates and in the region for the defence of their territory,” he said.

    The French President stressed that any durable resolution to the crisis would require the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to unrestricted maritime traffic, alongside a comprehensive security agreement addressing regional threats.

    He said such a framework must include firm guarantees against what he described as Iran’s nuclear ambitions, ballistic missile activities, and wider regional destabilisation.

    The renewed hostilities come amid heightened tensions following a United States initiative dubbed “Project Freedom,” announced by former President Donald Trump, aimed at deploying U.S. naval assets to secure safe passage for commercial vessels transiting the strategic waterway.

    U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine, speaking jointly to reporters, today, described the operation as a humanitarian mission designed to protect neutral shipping interests in the region.

    Hegseth clarified that the renewed reports of Iranian missile activity in the Gulf did not signal the collapse of ongoing ceasefire arrangements, adding that diplomatic engagements were still underway to de-escalate tensions and bring an end to the conflict.

  • Guðbrandsson, Abou Jamous named laureates of 31st Council of Europe North-South Prize

    Guðbrandsson, Abou Jamous named laureates of 31st Council of Europe North-South Prize

    STRASBOURG, France (NPA) — The jury of the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe has announced Bragi Guðbrandsson and Rami Abou Jamous as laureates of the 31st edition of the North-South Prize of the Council of Europe, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to human rights, democracy, and intercultural dialogue.

    The award, established in 1995, honours individuals and institutions from both the Global North and South who have demonstrated sustained commitment to strengthening human rights, the rule of law, and international solidarity. Previous recipients include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, former Irish President Mary Robinson, musician Bob Geldof, and singer Peter Gabriel, reflecting the prize’s long-standing tradition of recognising global figures who influence peace and social justice.

    Bragi Guðbrandsson, a distinguished children’s rights advocate, was recognised for his pioneering work in child protection systems across Europe and beyond, particularly his development of the Barnahus (“Children’s House”) model, which has reshaped how justice systems respond to cases involving violence and sexual abuse against children. His leadership within international human rights frameworks, including collaborations with the Council of Europe and the United Nations, has helped establish stronger, more child-sensitive justice practices and reinforced global standards in child protection.

    Rami Abou Jamous, a renowned war correspondent, was awarded for his courageous and independent journalism from conflict zones, especially his reporting from Gaza, where he has documented the realities of life under war in extremely dangerous conditions. The jury highlighted his contribution to advancing North-South dialogue through frontline reporting and his role in amplifying the voices of civilians affected by conflict, underscoring the risks faced by journalists working in active war zones.

    The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on 19 May at noon (1pm CET) at the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon, and will be presided over by Speaker José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, with the presentation made by Portuguese President António José Seguro in the presence of senior Council of Europe officials and distinguished guests.

    Organisers noted that this year’s edition carries added significance, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of Portugal’s accession to the Council of Europe, a milestone reflecting decades of democratic engagement within the institution.

  • Saudi leadership congratulates Polish President on Constitution Day

    Saudi leadership congratulates Polish President on Constitution Day

    RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (NPA) — The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister, have congratulated President Karol Nawrocki of the Republic of Poland on the occasion of his country’s Constitution Day.

    In separate cables, King Salman and the Crown Prince extended warm wishes of continued good health and happiness to President Nawrocki, and expressed hopes for steady progress and prosperity for the government and people of Poland.

    A part of the statement shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its official channels reads: “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques @KingSalman and HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulate the President of the Republic of Poland on his country’s Constitution Day.”

    The Ministry emphasized that the gesture reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and fostering goodwill with Poland.

    The Constitution Day in Poland commemorates the adoption of the May 3, 1791 Constitution, a landmark document that introduced modern democratic principles and sought to reform the Polish‑Lithuanian Commonwealth. Though short‑lived, it is regarded as one of Poland’s greatest achievements, symbolizing the nation’s pursuit of sovereignty and justice.

    Today, it is celebrated as a national holiday with parades, ceremonies, and public events, and is considered as significant to Poles as July 4 is to Americans.

  • IAEA reaffirms support for Ukraine’s nuclear safety at 40th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster

    IAEA reaffirms support for Ukraine’s nuclear safety at 40th anniversary of Chernobyl disaster

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to nuclear safety and security in Ukraine, as the country marked the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

    Grossi made the remarks during a visit to Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other senior officials to discuss ongoing efforts to stabilise and rebuild the country’s energy infrastructure amid the continuing conflict.

    According to the IAEA chief, discussions with President Zelenskyy focused on the situation at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), as well as the agency’s sustained support for Ukraine’s energy sector, including plans for new power units at the Khmelnitsky Nuclear Power Plant and repairs to the New Safe Confinement structure at the Chernobyl site.

    “The IAEA remains committed to supporting nuclear safety and security in Ukraine,” Grossi said, noting the agency’s ongoing presence and technical assistance across the country’s nuclear facilities.

    Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal, also announced the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy and the IAEA aimed at advancing the recovery and development of the nuclear energy sector.

    The agreement provides a framework for the modernisation of nuclear power plants, restoration of critical grid infrastructure, and facilitation of new power unit construction, particularly at the Khmelnytskyi facility. It also includes support for institutional reforms at Energoatom, the state-owned nuclear energy operator.

    During the visit, Grossi handed over a specialised methodology for operating nuclear power plants under wartime conditions—an initiative both sides agreed upon in 2025. The document is expected to serve as a global reference for managing nuclear facilities in conflict zones and preventing potential disasters.

    In addition, the IAEA delivered two ambulances to support emergency response operations at nuclear facilities, including those in southern Ukraine and the Chernobyl zone.

    Grossi also held talks with representatives of the European Commission, including Valdis Dombrovskis, focusing on reconstruction efforts at Chernobyl and broader nuclear safety initiatives.

    The IAEA chief participated in the Ukraine Energy Coordination Group event titled “40 Years After Chernobyl,” alongside Ukrainian officials, where he highlighted the agency’s decades-long role in shaping global nuclear safety standards and its continued engagement in Ukraine during the ongoing war.

    “From supporting recovery after the 1986 accident to maintaining a presence at all nuclear power plants in Ukraine today, the IAEA has remained committed,” Grossi said.

    Commemorating the anniversary, officials reiterated the importance of sustained international cooperation to ensure nuclear safety, prevent future incidents, and support Ukraine’s long-term energy resilience.

  • Macron meets Middle East leaders, pledges support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability

    Macron meets Middle East leaders, pledges support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and regional stability

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, and Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II on the sidelines of the informal European Council meeting in Cyprus. The discussions focused on addressing the challenges facing countries in the Middle East and strengthening cooperation between the region and Europe.

    Macron stressed the importance of working together on a shared agenda of sovereignty, stability, and prosperity, noting that both Europe and the Middle East are grappling with the consequences of ongoing regional conflicts. He emphasized that the Middle East is poised to become a central link in supply routes with the European Union, a development he said would benefit both peoples and economies.

    The French President announced that France will continue to play its part in advancing these objectives, particularly by supporting Lebanon in its efforts to uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity. He underscored France’s backing for the Lebanese state’s monopoly over weapons, describing it as a categorical plan to disarm Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed armed group operating in Lebanon.

    Macron further stated that France stands ready to mobilize its partners when the time comes, including by organizing a conference in support of Lebanon’s armed and security forces as well as the country’s economic recovery.

    European diplomats at the Cyprus meeting welcomed Macron’s initiative, noting that France’s leadership could help galvanize broader EU support for stability in the Middle East. They emphasized that coordinated action is essential to prevent further escalation and to strengthen regional partnerships.

    The meeting in Cyprus highlighted France’s ongoing diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, with Macron positioning his country as a key partner in efforts to stabilize the region and foster closer ties with Europe.

  • Three years of war in Sudan, EU calls for immediate ceasefire

    Three years of war in Sudan, EU calls for immediate ceasefire

    AFRICA/INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — The European Union has renewed its call for peace in Sudan as the country enters its third year of war, warning that the conflict continues to devastate lives and undermine the aspirations of the 2018/19 revolution.

    In a statement on 21 April 2026, the EU High Representative reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to Sudan’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, rejecting unilateral attempts to establish parallel governance that could risk partition. Preventing escalation into a full‑scale regional war, the EU stressed, remains paramount.

    The statement highlighted the Sudan Conference in Berlin held on 15 April, which demonstrated international resolve to pressure the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and affiliated militias to end hostilities.

    Recalling the October 2025 Council Conclusions, the EU urged all actors to engage in negotiations towards an immediate and lasting ceasefire. It expressed readiness to support credible peace initiatives, including international monitoring mechanisms, and called on external actors to stop fuelling the war.

    Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is worsening, with civilians targeted, famine conditions persisting, and mass displacement destabilising communities and the wider region. The EU condemned attacks on civilians, healthcare facilities, aid workers, and humanitarian convoys, stressing that obstruction of relief efforts may constitute war crimes.

    At the Berlin Conference, donors pledged €1.5 billion in aid, including €812 million from the EU and its Member States, to support humanitarian response and protect critical infrastructure.

    The EU also denounced grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including systematic sexual and gender‑based violence, with rape used as a weapon of war. It pledged support for accountability mechanisms such as the UN Fact‑Finding Mission and the ICC, noting that sanctions targeting the war economy remain under consideration.

    Reaffirming support for Sudanese aspirations for democratic governance, the EU welcomed the Joint Call to End the War and Advance a Sudanese‑Owned Political Process, agreed by civilian actors at the Berlin Conference under the AU‑led Quintet. The statement concluded: “It is long overdue to bring this devastating conflict to an end.”

  • EU imposes sanctions on Russia over hybrid threats

    EU imposes sanctions on Russia over hybrid threats

    BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — The European Union has announced new sanctions targeting individuals and entities linked to Russia’s hybrid campaigns against the EU and its member states, condemning what it described as persistent attempts to undermine democracy, security, and critical infrastructure.

    In a statement, the EU said Russia’s hybrid activities — including sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation, and interference in electoral processes — have intensified since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. These actions, it noted, form part of a broader, coordinated campaign aimed at destabilising the EU, its partners, and neighbouring states such as Ukraine and Moldova.

    The sanctions regime, first adopted in October 2024 and expanded in May 2025, allows the EU to target individuals and entities engaged in destabilising activities. Measures include travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions on financial transactions, as well as prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available to those listed.

    Currently, 69 individuals and 19 entities are sanctioned under this framework. Those affected include propagandists, media figures, influencers, and companies such as the state-owned Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network and the BRICS Journalists Association.

    The EU stressed that it remains determined to expose and counter Russia’s hybrid threats, pledging to use “the full range of tools available” to protect its democratic institutions and hold perpetrators accountable.

    In addition to hybrid-related sanctions, the EU has imposed sweeping measures in response to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, including economic restrictions, diplomatic measures, visa bans, and the suspension of broadcasting licences for Russian state-controlled media outlets accused of spreading disinformation.

  • Philippines, China trade claims over West Philippine Sea operations

    Philippines, China trade claims over West Philippine Sea operations

    INTERNATIONAL — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — The Philippine Coast Guard and China’s Foreign Ministry have issued conflicting statements regarding recent activities in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

    Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela rejected remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, insisting that cyanide testing in the area was conducted by the National Bureau of Investigation using established forensic protocols. Tarriela said the results, based on samples recovered from vessels, were credible and transparent.

    He further noted that Ayungin Shoal lies within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, citing the 2016 Arbitral Award under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). According to Tarriela, the Philippines has sovereign rights to protect marine resources and enforce its laws in those waters.

    Tarriela also pointed to environmental damage in the region, attributing it to large-scale reclamation and construction activities by China. He said the Philippines’ presence at Ayungin Shoal, maintained by the grounded BRP Sierra Madre, was defensive, while alleging that Chinese actions posed risks to the marine ecosystem.

    China has consistently asserted sovereignty over much of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by the Philippines. The dispute remains one of the most contentious issues in regional maritime security, with both sides continuing to defend their positions under international law.

  • Macron meets AU Commission President, calls for stronger partnership amid Strait of Hormuz crisis

    Macron meets AU Commission President, calls for stronger partnership amid Strait of Hormuz crisis

    PARIS, France, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday received the President of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the Élysée Palace in Paris.

    Macron said he was delighted to welcome Youssouf at what he described as a time of increasing global turbulence, stressing that the African Union remains an essential partner for France, the European Union, and the international community in advancing development, peace, security, and the protection of global public goods across Africa.

    On diplomatic and partnership fronts, Macron pledged that France intends to be a reliable and steadfast partner of the African Union. He highlighted the upcoming Africa Forward Summit, scheduled for Nairobi on 11–12 May, as a major opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Europe and Africa.

    Turning to the Middle East, Macron emphasized that no effort should be spared in pursuing a strong and lasting diplomatic settlement. He said such a settlement must address core issues, including Iran’s nuclear and ballistic activities, its destabilizing actions in the region, the urgent need to restore free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and ensuring Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

    Macron pledged France’s readiness to play its full part in these efforts, noting that Paris has consistently sought to contribute since the onset of the conflict. He announced that France, together with the United Kingdom, will organize a conference in the coming days with countries willing to contribute to a peaceful multinational mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He stressed that the mission would be strictly defensive and separate from the warring parties, to be deployed as soon as conditions permit.

    Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had also announced a summit of 40 nations to address the ongoing Strait of Hormuz standoff.

  • UK’s Starmer warns Strait of Hormuz closure deeply damaging as Trump orders naval blockade

    UK’s Starmer warns Strait of Hormuz closure deeply damaging as Trump orders naval blockade

    INTERNATIONAL, 13 April 2026 (NPA) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is severely damaging global trade, stressing that restoring freedom of navigation is vital to easing cost-of-living pressures worldwide.

    Speaking on Monday, Starmer said the United Kingdom has convened more than 40 nations committed to restoring safe passage through the strait, which has become the epicenter of military confrontations involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. He emphasized that securing international shipping lanes is critical to stabilizing global markets.

    Looking ahead, Starmer revealed that the UK and France will co-host a summit this week to advance work on a coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard shipping once the conflict subsides. “Getting global shipping moving again is essential to protect households and economies from further shocks,” he said.

    As of press time, it remains unclear whether the United States is among the 40 nations convened, given Washington’s unilateral actions in the strait. President Donald Trump recently announced a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, ordering the Navy to intercept vessels paying tolls to Iran.