Has the US just pulled support for the Greece-Israel EastMed pipeline? The Biden administration has expressed “reservations” about a planned gas pipeline linking Israel, Cyprus and Greece, Greek government sources tell Reuters. In a note to Greece, "the American side expressed to the Greek side reservations as to the rationale of the EastMed pipeline, (and) raised issues of its economic viability and environmental (issues)," one source told the newswire. The EUR 6 bn pipeline, which had been backed by the Trump administration, has been planned for several years, and the participating countries are hoping to finalize funding for the project later this year.

The tide may be turning in Ethiopia’s civil war as government forces reportedly push back Tigray rebel fighters who a few weeks ago were threatening to enter the nation’s capital, the Wall Street Journal reports. The military has retaken several towns and forced the Tigray People’s Liberation Front force to retreat back to their northern homeland, lessening pressure on the country’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who in recent days has released several opposition leaders from prison and pledged to open peace talks.

Lebanese central bank governor Riad Salameh has been banned from leaving Lebanon by a judge as authorities investigate allegations that he helped to launder money and embezzle bank funds. (Reuters)