Author: Frank Deux

Pope Francis, 88, continues to be in critical condition after suffering a respiratory attack, the Vatican said Saturday. While alert, he continues receiving treatment for double pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, where he has spent nine nights. Pope remains in 'critical' condition after respiratory attack, Vatican says

Every year thousands of farmers convene in the French capital for a nine-day exhibition of livestock, produce and farming tools. The event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and is an essential stop for France’s top politicians Can farming really be that exciting, we take a closer look as to why this competition attracts Frances premier politicians and influencers. Why is Paris’ annual agriculture show such a big deal in France?

Israel was still in shock Friday after the revelation that one of the bodies purportedly belonging to four dead hostages being returned by Hamas was in fact an unknown woman. Hamas later handed over what they said was the correct body of deceased hostage Shiri Bibas to the Red Cross.  Israelis in shock after confusion around release of hostage Shiri Bibas' body

In tonight’s edition, Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was charged with treason on Friday. Also, Our focus tonight is on education; we talk to South Africa Basic Education Minister Siviwe Garube.  And artists are paying tribute to the work of Frédéric Bruly Bouabré. The artist invented a syllabary for the Ivorian Bété’s people’s language.  Uganda moves opposition figure's treason trial to civil court

Kristi Noem, the Secretary of US Homeland Security, on Thursday shortened the duration of temporary work permits and deportation protections for 521,000 Haitians to last until August of this year rather than February 2026, weeks after cutting a TPS extension for some 600,000 Venezuelans. US cuts Biden-era deportation protections for 521,000 Haitians

Marking another boost to the renewed partnership between the US and Venezuela, 177 migrants were transferred from the notorious Guantanamo military base to their homeland in Venezuela at the “direct request” of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. US transfers 177 migrants held in Guantanamo to Venezuela

The United States is urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to sign deal on US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz has said. Zelensky has refused the offer, saying: “I can’t sell our state.” The comments in the White House news briefing came shortly after Zelensky wrapped up a meeting with Trump’s Ukraine envoy in Kyiv, saying he was ready to make an “investment and security agreement” with the US…

Iran executed at least 975 people last year in a “horrifying escalation” of its use of capital punishment, two human rights groups said on Thursday. Iran carried out at least 975 executions last year in a “horrifying escalation” of capital punishment, according to Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and French group Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM). Both said the figure was the highest since IHR began recording executions in Iran in 2008. The figure…

Mbappe was the star of the show as he scored a hat-trick which helped Real Madrid beat Manchester City 3-1 to reach the last-16 of the Champions League on Wednesday. PSG annihilated Brest 7-0 at the Parc des Princes. Champions League: Madrid outclass Man City as PSG power into last 16

A US judge said on Wednesday he will take some time to consider a request by prosecutors under orders from a Donald Trump political appointee to drop corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, saying he wants to make a reasoned decision on a “somewhat unusual situation.” US judge considers 'unusual' request to drop New York mayor corruption charges

US President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, blaming him for the Russian invasion of Ukraine and echoing Moscow’s demand for elections. Trump also expressed confidence that US-Russia talks would lead to a deal to end the war and hinted at a possible meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of the month.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that his administration will continue restricting the Associated Press’ access to events and news conferences until the outlet adopts his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico. Acknowledging the move as retaliation for AP’s editorial stance, Trump insisted the body of water be called the “Gulf of America” and accused the news agency of defying his authority.

Brazil’s prosecutor-general has charged former President Jair Bolsonaro with attempting a coup to stay in power after his 2022 election defeat, alleging that he knew and approved of a plot to poison his successor, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The case, which also accuses Bolsonaro’s allies of planning to assassinate a Supreme Court justice, marks a dramatic escalation in the legal battles surrounding the far-right leader. Brazil’s prosecutor charges Jair Bolsonaro, says he approved…

Embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams faced renewed pressure after the head of the city’s council called for his resignation, days after four deputy mayors and several prosecutors quit in protest of the dismissal of the corruption case against Adams. New York city council demands mayor's resignation following corruption case dismissal

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio continued his Middle East tour on Monday, arriving in Saudi Arabia ahead of a controversial meeting on Tuesday between the US and Russian delegations to discuss the war in Ukraine. European leaders and Ukraine decried the bilateral talks, insisting any talks on the future of Ukraine must include both Ukraine and its European allies. Rubio in Saudi Arabia ahead of US, Russia talks on Ukraine

Israel is set to miss the Tuesday deadline for its withdrawal from Lebanon, as established in last November’s ceasefire agreement, with its military announcing on Monday it would remain in five “strategic” locations within Lebanese borders. Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his government was working to achieve a full Israeli withdrawal “diplomatically”, while an estimated 100,000 people remain internally displaced in the country. Israel to ignore Lebanon withdrawal deadline, remain in 5 locations

Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum led Shaquille O’Neal’s “Team Shaq” to a dominant 41-25 victory over “Team Chuck” in the revamped NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. The new four-team mini-tournament format, aimed at boosting competition, drew mixed reactions—while some players welcomed the change, others, like Draymond Green, slammed it as “ridiculous” and “not basketball.” Stephen Curry shines as Team Shaq wins revamped NBA All-Star game

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was “ready and willing” to put UK troops on the ground in Ukraine, as part of any postwar peacekeeping force, to ensure the security of Britain and Europe. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the UK Prime Minister said it was “essential to deter Putin from further aggression in the future”. UK PM says ready to send troops to Ukraine if needed as part of peace deal

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…

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…

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…

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