Author: Frank Deux

Twelve people were injured in an explosion after a grenade was thrown in a bar in France’s southeastern city of Grenoble on Wednesday, officials said. French authorities said they did not believe the incident to be terror-related. Several injured after grenade blast in bar in French city of Grenoble

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani will be attending a conference in Paris on Thursday, aimed at coordinating regional and international action in support of his country’s transitional process. The Group of 7, Turkey and other Arab states are also sending representatives. Paris conference on political transition France, Turkey kurds and the top diplomat to attend Paris conference on his country’s political transition. The new Syrian regime is being accepted and normalised around the world as the EU and US accepted that once a terrorist is now a friend of the NATO allies against Russia.

President Donald Trump is hosting Jordan’s King Abdullah II at the White House as he escalates pressure on the Arab nation to take in refugees from Gaza as part of his audacious plan to remake the Middle East. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, François Picard welcomes Dr Amer Al Sabaileh, Academic, Geopolitics Analyst and Specialist in Strategic and Security Research. If Jordan took in more Palestinians, there would be 'security, economic, and political implications'

Marc Fogel, an American history teacher detained by Russia, has been freed and returned to the US, with President Donald Trump suggesting the release could mark the beginning of a diplomatic thaw that may help pave the way for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Trump also said another American prisoner would be released on Wednesday. American teacher released by Russia as Trump hints at diplomatic thaw

US President Donald Trump issued a 25% steel and aluminium tariff on all countries on Monday, heightening fears of a potential trade war and increased consumer costs.

Political and tech leaders convene in Paris for a summit co-hosted by French President Macron and Indian PM Modi to discuss AI governance, aiming for ethical, accessible AI and bolstering European sovereignty over the technology. The event, at Grand Palais, includes lectures and panels on AI’s potential impacts.

The Philadelphia Eagles trounced the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in the Super Bowl, watched by President Donald Trump. Quarterback Jalen Hurts led the Eagles with two touchdown passes and a rushing score, avenging their previous Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs at New Orleans’ Superdome. The defeat ended the Chiefs’ bid for a third consecutive NFL title. Philadelphia Eagles soar to 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX victory over Chiefs

Polling in Ecuador closed with President Daniel Noboa poised for re-election, leading with nearly 50% in early counts—just enough to potentially bypass a runoff. Challenger Luisa Gonzalez trails at 38%. With only 40,000 votes tallied and millions cast, final results are pending in the country’s most critical election in decades.

Italy sent slumping Wales further into crisis on Saturday, triumphing 22-15 in front of delighted fans in Rome.  Italy showed very little of the handling errors and poor decisions which have often plagued their Six Nations performances. Wales suffer 14th straight defeat in Six Nations loss to Italy

Demonstrations were held in Israel following the release of the three Israeli hostages by Hamas on Saturday. The poor physical condition of those freed sparked public anger at the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, blamed for the slow pace of the hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. FRANCE 24’s Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Tel Aviv. Israelis protest against slow pace of the hostage-for-prisoner exchanges with Hamas

Elliot Daly’s last-minute try punished the French for an extraordinary catalogue of handling errors as England edged France 26-25 in their Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday. Last-minute try gives England dramatic Six Nations win over France at Twickenham

Hamas on Saturday is expected to release a fifth prisoner-hostage swap held in Gaza since October 2023 in exchange for Israel’s release of Palestinian detainees under the first phase of a fragile ceasefire deal. It comes as US President Donald Trump’s proposal to displace Gazans raised doubts over the future of the multiphase deal. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the Middle East. Key Highlights from this mornings prisoners exchange Hamas are voicing their concerns about Trump’s proposal to take over Gaza. Hamas are set to free three more Israeli prisoners, all Israeli civilian men, on…

Hamas named three more Israeli hostages it plans to release Saturday in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners in the fifth hostage-prisoner exchange between the militants and Israel. The latest swap takes place amid the global outcry sparked by US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a US takeover of Gaza, remarks which certain mediators fear could derail the fragile ceasefire agreement. Live: Hamas, Israel set for fifth prisoner-hostage swap under Gaza truce deal

Diplomatic efforts to achieve peace are getting underway this weekend in Tanzania. It will be the first time that Paul Kagame and Felix Tshisekedi engage in direct talks since the resurgence of the conflict. As the United Nations warned of regional escalation, the Congelese President hopes to get out of the summit an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional withdrawal of M23 group and its Rwandan allies, but it is not clear if Kigali is willing to make those concessions. UN warns of regional escalation in DR Congo conflict ahead of the high stakes Tanzania summit

US President Donald Trump slapped sanctions on the International Criminal Court Thursday for “illegitimate and baseless” investigations targeting America and its ally Israel, the White House said. Follow our live blog for all the latest developments on the Middle East.

Ukraine says it is ready to open a humanitarian corridor to help Russian civilians return home from territory seized in its August offensive–if Moscow requests one. Kyiv accuses Russia of ignoring its own citizens, while the Kremlin remains silent on the offer. Ukraine offers humanitarian corridor for Russian civilians trapped in seized border areas

Rwanda invaded DR Congo with no meaningful defence. The Rwanda-backed rebels who captured eastern Congo’s key city of Goma sought to shore up public support amid growing international pressure. Rwanda invaded DR Congo with no meaningful defence As the M23 rebels continue their advance, ignoring the UN secretary-general’s call to lay down their arms, François Picard welcomes Daniel Levine-Spound, Human Rights Lawyer, Researcher and Clinical Teaching Fellow and Supervising Attorney at the Harvard Law School International Human Rights Clinic (IHRC). He compares the war in the east of the DR Congo to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and blames the escalating…

President Donald Trump said the US would take over the Gaza Strip and develop it economically after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere, moves that would shatter decades of US policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The comments drew sharp criticism, with a Democratic senator calling them ‘insane’. Follow our liveblog for all the latest. Live: Hamas official says Trump's remarks about taking over Gaza are 'ridiculous and absurd'

Colombia and Venezuela launched a joint operation to counter guerrilla groups that are fighting in the mountainous northeastern Catatumbo region. The violence broke out after the National Liberation Army (ELN) targeted rival armed groups and their alleged sympathizers in an attempt to assert control over a swath of the border region that is home to coca plantations that supply much of the world’s cocaine. Colombia, Venezuela launch joint operation to counter guerrilla groups

Serbia’s student population were the driving force behind mass demonstrations that blocked bridges over the River Danube in the city of Novi Sad on Saturday. Persistent protests have been part of a growing anti-corruption movement that forced the resignation of PM Milos Vucevic earlier this week, and signal dwindling confidence in the country’s populist government. Students lead Danube bridge blockade in protest over Serbia's leadership

France captain Antoine Dupont lived up to expectations as the mercurial scrumhalf made his Six Nations comeback in style to lead France to a 43-0 crushing of Wales in this year’s curtain riser on Friday. Antoine Dupont marked his return to Six Nations duty in stunning style as he underlined his billing as the ultimate all-round rugby player by helping France to a crushing 43-0 victory over Wales in Paris on Friday. Dupont missed last year’s championship as he battled for a place on France’s rugby sevens squad for the Paris Olympics. Needless to say, he made the side and…

In tonight’s edition, calm returns to the DRC’s eastern city of Goma while M23 is advancing south.  Also, the Southern African Development Community held a special meeting in Zimbabwe to discuss the situation in DR Congo. And in Kenya, it’s time to fight back after a surge in violence against women. Congo's army slows M23 rebel's southern march

Hamas and Israel will conduct their next hostage-prisoner swap as part of the Gaza ceasefire on Saturday, with three Israelis to be released in exchange for 183 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Three Israeli hostages set for release in exchange for 183 Palestinian prisoners

67 people are feared dead after a helicopter collided with a passenger jet over the Potomac River, near Washington, D.C., on Thursday. US President Donald blamed the crash on weakened security policies, later suggesting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies installed by former presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama played a role in the incident. Helicopter and passenger jet near Washington, DC collide, killing 67

English teams clear inaugural league phase as Lazio top the table. The Europa League’s inaugural league phase ended on Thursday, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who are both producing lackluster domestic campaigns, but managed to secure a round of 16 spot. Italy’s Lazio finished top of the standings despite suffering their first loss, with Lyon ranking sixth and exceeding expectations for the French club. English teams clear inaugural league phase Diogo Dalot tapped in a precise cross by Kobbie Mainoo on the hour mark and Mainoo netted eight minutes later for a 2-0 victory over Romanian champion FCSB in…