Global

Israel's GDP shrunk by almost one-fifth in the final quarter of 2023, compared to the three months prior, according to official figures published on Monday. The 19.4-percent fall in the final quarter was attributed to the scale of the ongoing Gaza war's effect on the high-tech nation's economy.

The European Union on Monday officially launched a mission to help protect international shipping in the Red Sea.

The UN's top court will from Monday hold hearings on the legal consequences of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967.

More than 100 people were detained at spontaneous memorials for Russyuib opposition leader Alexei Navalny who has died in detention.

The European Union on Friday said that it held President Vladimir Putin's Russia solely responsible for the death in prison of exiled opposition leader Alexei Navalny. "Alexei Navalny fought for the values of freedom and democracy. For his ideals, he made the ultimate sacrifice," European Council President Charles Michel posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The EU's Digital Services Act which demands that digital companies crack down on illegal and problematic content comes into effect on Saturday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected a reported plan for international recognition of a Palestinian state.

Humanitarian chiefs said Thursday they had run out of words to describe the horrors unfolding in Gaza, stressing that states and especially Israel could not "offload" responsibility for the carnage onto aid workers. There have been growing international warnings after Israel vowed to push ahead with a major operation in southern Gaza's Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians remain trapped.

Greece's parliament is set to legaliseg same-sex marriage and adoption on Thursday, a landmark reform promoted by the conservative government over the opposition of the country's powerful Orthodox Church. Dozens of ruling New Democracy party legislators are expected to oppose the bill in a vote late Thursday. But support from opposition parties means it is certain to pass.