Author: Frank Deux

The US says it killed senior al-Qaeda affiliate during an airstrike in northwest Syria the day before. US Central Command described the person in a statement as a “senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din.” US says it killed senior al-Qaeda affiliate US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it conducted the strike Saturday “in Northwest Syria targeting and killing a senior finance and logistics official in the terrorist organization Hurras al-Din (HaD), an Al-Qaeda affiliate,” according to a statement on X. Syria’s quest for national unity is critical to any sustainable peace plan and the US must stop interfering. The strike…

A mother and her two-year-old daughter have died from injuries sustained two days ago when a car deliberately rammed into a trade union demonstration in Munich on Thursday. The attack wounded 37 people, including children, police said. Mother and two-year-old daughter die days after Munich car ramming

A teenage boy has been killed and four more people wounded in a knife attack in southern Austria Saturday, police said. One person killed and four wounded in knife attack in Austria, police say

France is in talks with its allies about holding an informal European summit on Ukraine on Monday, diplomatic sources said Saturday. Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg earlier said that Europe would not have a role in Ukraine peace talks planned between the US, Ukraine and Russia. France planning to host informal European summit on Ukraine, diplomatic sources say

US Vice President JD Vance on Friday met with Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, his office said. News of the meeting came after top German officials pushed back against Vance’s complaints about the state of democracy and freedom of expression in Europe. J.D. Vance’s Critique of European Policies at MSC At the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a speech criticizing European leaders for what he perceives as restrictions on free speech and their handling of mass migration. His remarks sparked varied reactions, with notable European…

In tonight’s edition, nearly three weeks on from their seizure of Goma, M23 rebels continue their advance to the city of Bukavu. Also, the conflict is high on the agenda for the Africa Union summit this weekend as the heads of the 55 member states from across the continent gather in Addis Ababa. And from invasive bugs to toxic pesticides, Kenya’s roses are facing some thorny issues this Valentine’s Day. Rwanda-backed rebels advance into eastern Congo's 2nd major city of Bukavu

A deputy commander of the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon was injured and a UN vehicle torched late Friday by Hezbollah protesters blocking the road to Beirut airport. Demonstrators had been protesting against a decision by Lebanese authorities to revoke permission for a passenger plane from Iran to fly to Beirut on Thursday. UN Lebanon force demands 'immediate' inquiry into torching of vehicle in Beirut

Syria’s quest for national unity seems simple enough on paper, principles of diversity & inclusivity almost perfect. But the reality is significantly different where you have 10 years of prisoners having to sit across their captives and persecutors. Syria’s quest for national unity The Paris conference to chart Syria’s political future will include all segments of Syrian society except for the Kurdish-led administration in the northeast and loyalists of the repressive former government of Bashar Assad. Interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa has promised to launch an inclusive political process to set up a new constitution and representative government for all Syrians.…

Danielle Sassoon, Manhattan’s top federal prosecutor, handed her resignation on Thursday after acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former Trump lawyer, ordered Manhattan federal prosecutors to throw out the corruption charges filed against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Top prosecutor resigns over New York mayor corruption case dismissal

French President Emmanuel Macron described Donald Trump’s return to the White House as an “electroshock” that should force Europe to secure its own future as well as Ukraine’s, in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday. The French president warned against peace in Ukraine that would amount to “capitulation”. Macron: 'Peace that is a capitulation' in Ukraine would be 'bad news' for all

Vangelis Pavlidis scored his sixth goal in this season’s Champions League to give Benfica a 1-0 win away to 10-man Monaco in the first leg of their knockout phase play-off tie on Wednesday. Champions League: Benfica beat Monaco in first leg of play-off

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