Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday appointed military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov as head of his office, following the resignation of top aide Andriy Yermak over a corruption scandal. Budanov, credited with daring operations against Russia, will focus on security, defence and diplomatic efforts amid the ongoing war.
US President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials exchanged dueling threats Friday as widening protests swept across parts of the Islamic Republic, further escalating tensions between the countries after America bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Ukraine staged the death of an anti-Kremlin Russian fighter, Denis Kapustin, to prevent his killing ordered by Moscow's special forces, Ukrainian military intelligence announced Thursday. His assassination, GUR said in a statement, "was ordered by the special services of the aggressor state Russia, which allocated half a million dollars to carry out the crime."
Israel has enforced its ban on 37 NGOs supplying aid in Gaza from the territory, in a move which has been largely criticised internationally as likely to worsen an already critical humanitarian situation. The ban 'will have a profound effect' on Gaza Tirza Leibowitz, Deputy Director of Physicians for Human Rights Israel, tells FRANCE 24.
Amid large protests in Iran, contradictory messages are being sent out. While the president seems to have adopted a conciliatory tone, other reports from the ground talk of live ammunition being used against protesters, with the worry that this a brutal crackdown is underway. FRANCE 24's Rochelle Ferguson Bouyahi tells us more.
Eighteen years after the scandal of false African adoptions involving the French NGO Zoe's Ark, many of the Chadian victims are still fighting for compensation. FRANCE 24's Harold Girard and Fadile Bhayat report.
Iran has entered the sixth day of protests that began with shopkeepers decrying the rising cost of living, but have become increasingly political as students have joined the demonstrations. The most popular protest chants are now directed at the country’s law enforcement and leadership – FRANCE 24 explains what the protesters are calling for.
U.S. President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials exchanged dueling threats on January 2 as widening economic protests swept across parts of the Islamic Republic, further escalating tensions between the countries after America bombed Iranian nuclear sites in June. At least seven people have been killed so far in violence surrounding the demonstrations, which have increasingly seen crowds chanting anti-government slogans. FRANCE 24's Douglas Herbert tells us more about the situation.
Initial investigations suggest that the fire which tore through a Swiss ski resort bar started when 'fountain candles' attached to champagne bottles were carried aloft too close to the ceiling, the local prosecutor said on Friday. Authorities planned to look into whether the material on the ceiling that was designed to muffle sound conformed with regulations. FRANCE 24's Olivia Bizot is on the ground.
Angelina Jolie visited the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing on Friday, meeting Red Crescent volunteers and aid truck drivers delivering supplies to Gaza. The Hollywood star assessed conditions for injured Palestinians and the flow of humanitarian aid, highlighting the urgent challenges at the border amid the ongoing blockade.
