Migration is set to be among the topics being discussed by EU leaders at this week’s meeting in Brussels. That’s after the bloc signed a major aid deal with Egypt, partly aimed at curbing the number of irregular arrivals in Europe.

Brussels

European Union leaders are convening in Brussels this week with migration high on their agenda. The meeting comes in the wake of the EU signing a significant aid agreement with Egypt, a move partially aimed at reducing the influx of irregular migrants to Europe. This pact demonstrates the bloc's ongoing efforts to address the challenges associated with migration by engaging with non-EU countries.



E.U. bloc aims to curb irregular migrant arrivals

and everybody is very weak. Somewhere in the Mediterranean, between Libya and Italy, dozens of migrants are saved from a rubber boat. This video, recorded by a charity rescue group on March 13th, didn't show the bodies of the dozens more that had perished in the crossing. The central Mediterranean is one of the world's most dangerous sea migration routes, yet huge numbers of people continue to try and risk perils like this bound for Europe. The European Union is ratcheting up efforts to stop them. On the Bulgarian border earlier this month, EU border agency Frontex said it was tripling the number of officers stationed there. Last year, the agency recorded 380,000 irregular border crossings into the EU, the highest since 2016. It's with all this in mind that EU leaders are trialling a new approach. On March 17th, the EU penned a deal with Egypt worth more than $8 billion. The agreement was for what was called a strategic partnership. European governments have long been worried about the risk of instability in Egypt, and Cairo's diplomatic significance has been underscored by events in neighbouring Gaza. Together we will work on our commitments for democracy, human rights and opportunities. But we also meet at a time of deep crisis. Key in the new partnership, however, is Egypt's role in stemming the flow of migrants into Europe, and it's not the first of its kind either. In July last year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen inked a more than $100 million deal with Tunisia that too was supposed to crack down on human trafficking gangs and stop boats from crossing the Mediterranean. Yet just months later, the Italian island of Lampedusa, just a few hundred kilometres from the coast of Tunisia, was overwhelmed with thousands of arrivals. EU money has also been offered to Libya, but tactics employed by the Libyan Coast Guard have been loudly and repeatedly criticised by human rights groups who claim it's led to countless deaths at sea. During the rescue operations, when many of the survivors had already been disembarked on the boat, the Geobarons, some of them are still on there and some are still on the small boat. The Libyan Coast Guard intervened, threatening to stop the operations, and with very dangerous manoeuvres they stopped the operations and even tried to board one of our boats. The sums on offer may seem huge, but much is at stake for Europe's leaders. Polls repeatedly show migration is a core issue for voters, and with EU elections in June, there will be big worries about the failure to come up with a lasting solution to this crisis. Joel Flynn, TRT World.

It’s been two years since Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was killed during an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp. Despite a U.S. Government backed investigation that found she was shot by an Israeli sniper, no charges have been filed.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Two years on, no justice for slain Al Jazeera journalist

Israel called for Palestinians in more areas of Gaza's southern city of Rafah to evacuate and head to what it calls an expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, in a further indication that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a ground attack on Rafah.

Rafah

Israel-Gaza War

Israel calls on Rafah residents to evacuate ahead of assault

Russian forces have captured five villages as part of a renewed ground assault in Ukraine’s northeast, the country’s Defence Ministry said. 

Ukrainian journalists reported that Russian troops took the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha, all of which lie in a militarily contested “grey zone” on the border of Ukraine's Kharkiv region and Russia.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Russia claims capture of five villages in northeast Ukraine

A report by the Biden administration on whether Israel’s use of U.S. supplied weapons violated international humanitarian law is “self-contradictory” and full of gaps two former State Department officials told Reuters.

Washington

Critical U.S. report on Israel arms use 'self-contradictory'

Kylian Mbappe has confirmed he will leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season. The Frenchman, who is out of contract this summer, is expected to join Real Madrid. The 25-year-old officially announced his PSG exit after it was revealed in February he would be leaving the French champions.

Paris

Kylian Mbappe confirms Paris Saint-Germain exit at end of season

The most powerful solar storm in more than two decades struck Earth, triggering spectacular celestial light shows in skies from Tasmania to Britain — and threatening possible disruptions to satellites and power grids as it persists into the weekend.

London

Intense solar storm brings northern lights displays across the globe

Dramatic footage of a rare tornado that tore through the Western Australian city of Bunbury shows it travelling quickly as it destroys rooftops and damages homes. Two people were injured amid falling debris.

Bunbury

Video captures freak tornado hitting Bunbury

The Albanese Federal Government has announced an $11.3b plan as part of next week's budget to help accelerate the supply of new homes, combat homelessness, and assist those fleeing domestic violence with crisis accommodation.

Canberra

Multi-billion dollar plan to combat housing crisis

The General Assembly has backed a Palestinian bid to become a full UN member. The resolution calls on the Security Council to reconsider and support the matter - a move that would effectively recognise a Palestinian state.

New York

UN General Assembly backs Palestine membership

Ukraine has sent reinforcements to the Kharkiv region after Russia launched both drones and a ground attack. Analysts say it could be Russia's attempt to stretch Ukraine's already-thin resources.

Kharkiv

Russia launches surprise ground offensive near Kharkiv

Protesters opposed to expansion of U.S. electric vehicle maker Tesla's plant in Grunheide near Berlin clashed with police as some of them attempted to storm the facility. About 800 people took part, according to the organizing group, which says expansion of the plant would damage the environment.

Grünheide (Mark)

Protesters try to storm Tesla plant in Germany

Russia has launched a surprise ground offensive into Ukraine's northeast Kharkiv region, putting its forces on the attack in a border zone Moscow's troops were pushed back from nearly two years ago.

Russia launches surprise ground offensive in Kharkiv

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said it was temporarily shuttering its east Jerusalem headquarters after "Israeli extremists" set fire to the perimeter following weeks of repeated attacks.

Jerusalem

UN aid agency closes East Jerusalem headquarters after arson

There are hopes that budget airline Bonza can be saved, after a creditors meeting including investors and administrators. The Queensland government is considering helping the low-cost carrier if a new owner is found. Flights were cancelled after the airline was repossessed.

Melbourne

Hopes Bonza airline can be saved

Former political staffer Bruce Lehrmann has been ordered to pay most of Ten Network's legal fees, after his defamation loss against the network. The Federal Court heard that Mr Lehrmann may not be able to afford costs order.

Council of the City of Sydney

Bruce Lehrmann to pay Ten's legal costs

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has suspended 9.5 billion dollars’ worth of trade with Israel, in response to the country’s war on Gaza. Many in Turkiye believe the measure is intended to push other nations to act against the Israeli government.

İstanbul

Turkey cuts trade ties with Israel worth $9.5 billion

Donald Trump’s lawyers attacked adult film star Stormy Daniels's credibility during her second day on the stand at the former president's hush money trial. Trump’s team said her story has changed over time and the salacious details of their alleged affair have nothing to do with the charges against Trump.

Trump lawyers attack Stormy Daniels's credibility in cross examination

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West on Thursday (May 9) of risking a global conflict and said no one would be allowed to threaten the world's biggest nuclear power as Russia marked the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.

Moscow

Putin warns of global clash as Russia marks WWII victory

U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement that he would withhold arms supplies if Israel went through with its assault of Rafah drew a defiant reaction alongside unease at the possible longer-term fallout from the open clash with Israel's most vital ally.

U.S. pause on bomb shipment prompts Israeli defiance

An Australian national remains in custody in Bali, Indonesia after he was charged with allegedly importing with methamphetamine. Troy Smith, from Port Lincoln was arrested late last month, with authorities finding a parcel with 3.15 grams of the drug.

Kuta

Australian man facing drug importation charges in Bali

One of the three Mexican nationals accused of murdering two Australian brothers has faced court, amid revelations he admitted the killings to his then-girlfriend. The family of Jake and Callum Robinson are now preparing to take their bodies home to Perth.

Baja California

Accused killer of Perth brothers faces court

President Joe Biden publicly warned Israel for the first time that the U.S. would stop supplying weapons if Israeli forces make a major invasion of Rafah, a refugee-packed city in southern Gaza. Biden also acknowledged that American bombs provided to Israel have killed civilians in Gaza.

Biden vows to deny Israel weapons if Rafah attacked

New storms are forecast for Brazil's flooded Rio Grande do Sul region. Authorities say the expected rain will make rescue efforts difficult. More than 100 people have been killed so far by the devastating floods.

State of Rio Grande do Sul

Brazil flood death toll hits 100 as government pledges aid

The final stop on President Xi's trip to Europe is Hungary. China has invested close to 10 billion dollars in manufacturing and infrastructure in the country and Prime Minister Viktor Orban is keen to maintain good ties with a major economic partner.

Budapest

Xi Jinping ends European tour in Hungary

The Federal government has revealed its forecast for household disposable incomes, projecting an increase of 3.5% for the next financial year. This positive outlook is ascribed to wages rising at a rate faster than inflation.

Government predicts household incomes to improve

Bonza, the Australian airline that commenced operations in January last year, has initiated a significant step by deploying the first of its 737 fleet to Hawaii from Sunshine Coast Airport.

Seized Bonza jets flown to Hawaii

A 45-year-old man has been arrested after a 39-year-old woman was stabbed in a gym car park in Sydney's inner south on Wednesday afternoon. The alleged attacker was the subject of an AVO order put in place last month to protect the woman.

Alexandria

Man arrested over gym car park stabbing

Russia has launched more than 70 missiles and drones in one of its largest barrages against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
The attacks were directed at facilities in Kyiv and six other cities. Moscow continues to target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in the hope of denting industry and public appetite for fighting back against its invasion.

Russia targets Ukraine energy infrastructure in barrage of attacks

Five asylum seekers have been detained after arriving on Saibai Island, just off the northern tip of Australia in the Torres Strait, originating from West Africa. Traveling approximately 14,000km using forged documents, their journey included stops in Indonesia and PNG.

Cape York

Asylum seekers arrive on boat from PNG

April was the eleventh consecutive month to break its own heat record, the European Union climate monitor Copernicus said, while ocean temperatures have been off the charts for even longer.