Controversial issue for our neighbours (5,7)
I believe the answer is:
cause celebre
'controversial issue' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cause celebre that I've seen before include "Notorious controversy" , "Controversial case" , "Incident attracting serious controversy" , "Controversial issue attracting public attention" , "Controversial issue attracting much attention" .)