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Senegal: Ousmane Sonko's 2050 general policy statement, PM seeks to repeal Macky Sall's amnesty law

Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressed the National Assembly this Friday to present the government's general policy. Sonko outlined key reforms such as tackling unemployment and migration, guided by the 2050 vision which now serves as the executive's roa

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Top UN official in Yemen rejects Israeli claim Sanaa airport was military target

A top UN official in Yemen has rejected allegations that Sanaa airport, which was targeted in an Israeli airstrike on Thursday, has any military purpose. Julien Harneis and his team were at the airport when the strikes hit some 300 metres from them, dest

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Detention of Italian journalist in Iran's Evin prison 'unacceptable', says Italy

Pacific Asia • 6:10 PM

An Italian journalist has been held in Iran for more than a week, Italy's government said Friday, describing Cecilia Clara's detention as "unacceptable". Cecilia Sala, 29, who works for Il Foglio newspaper and podcast company Chora Media, is being held i

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How Copenhagen became the global hotspot for fast and easy weddings

Europe • 6:06 PM

Couples from around the globe are flocking to Copenhagen to tie the knot. In 2023, one in five weddings in Denmark involved at least one foreign national. But what makes this Nordic city such an attractive destination for couples? ENTR visited Copenhagen

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2024 becomes the world's hottest year on record, fueling extreme weather events

In 2024, billions of people across the world faced climatic conditions that broke record after record: logging ever more highs for heat, floods, storms, fire and drought. As the year drew to a close, the conclusion was both blatant and bleak: 2024 was th

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Senegal PM Ousmane Sonko vows to repeal contested amnesty law

Africa • 5:15 PM

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko said that his government would submit legislation to repeal a law by former president Macky Sall granting amnesty for deadly political violence. Details with FRANCE 24 correspondent in Dakar, Aminatou Diallo.

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Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients

Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, igniting fires and forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather, the territory’s health ministry said. More information with FRANCE 24 correspond

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'Butcher of Hama': Assad's uncle Rifaat fled to Dubai, Lebanese officials say

An uncle of the recently ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad has fled, via Lebanon, to the United Arab Emirates, according to Lebanese officials. Rifaat al-Assad, known as the “Butcher of Hama” for overseeing the violent suppression of a rebellion in

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In Morocco, the government proposes a revision of the Family Code

After two years of consultations, the Moroccan government unveiled on December 24th the outlines of its reform of the Family Code, including on the marriage of minors or inheritance. Here are the main measures announced.

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Azerbaijan's flag carrier suspends flights to more Russian cities following crash that killed 38

Pacific Asia • 4:16 PM

Azerbaijan's flag carrier announced Friday that it will suspend flights to several Russian airports, citing potential flight safety risks after a crash of one of its planes that many experts blamed on Russian air defense fire. Analysis by former FRANCE 2

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Israeli forces raid north Gaza hospital, forcibly removing staff and patients

Israeli troops raided and torched the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Friday forcing staff and patients, some of whom had to be unhooked from oxygen, to move to other locations, the Gaza health ministry said.

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Germany's president dissolves parliament, paving the way for snap election

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament and confirmed the expected date of February 23rd for an early general election after the collapse of Olaf Scholz's government last month. Story by Camille Knight.

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Airline blames 'physical and technical interference' for Azerbaijani plane crash

Pacific Asia • 2:46 PM

Azerbaijan Airlines said Friday that the preliminary results of an investigation into the plane that crashed in Kazakhstan pointed to "physical and technical external interference", amid growing speculation it was hit by a Russian air defence system. Rus

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What to know about South Korean acting President Han's impeachment

Pacific Asia • 2:42 PM

The impeachment of South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo Friday has plunged the country into further political turmoil, coming less than two weeks after lawmakers impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Details by Eliza Herbert.

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Fast and popular: inside Denmark's wedding boom

For decades, Vegas was the world's wedding capital. Now, Denmark is stealing the spotlight. But what makes Denmark the ultimate wedding hotspot? Whether it's in Copenhagen or the dreamy island of Ærø, couples from around the globe flock to the northern E

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Ukraine says Russia 'must be held responsible' for Azerbaijan plane crash

Ukraine's presidency said Russia should be held accountable for the deadly crash of an Azerbaijani passenger plane, after reports the jet was shot at by a Russian air defence missile. Story by Luke Shrago.

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Senegal PM Sonko seeks to repeal former president's amnesty law

Africa • 1:33 PM

Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko plans on submitting legislation to repeal an amnesty granted by former president Macky Sall ahead of the March 2024 elections. Critics have accused the law of shielding those responsible for serious crimes – includi

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Why has the price of chocolate risen so sharply in 2024?

Historic highs in the price of chocolate have been reached this year. Of late the price has dipped again a little - but it is expected to surge again in 2025, much of that cost likely to be passed eventually onto consumers. For more information, FRANCE 2

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German president dissolves parliament, sets early election date for February

Germany's president dissolved parliament on Friday, confirming the country would head to an early election on February 23. The three-party coalition led by the Social Democrats collapsed after fierce infighting over how best to put Germany's economy back

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Germany's president dissolves parliament, sets national election for Feb. 23

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday ordered parliament dissolved and set new elections for Feb. 23 in the wake of the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's governing coalition. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Germany, Jörg Taszman.

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2024 in Rwanda: Paul Kagame's hold on the country

Africa • 11:08 AM

The year 2024 has been a defining one for Rwanda. It marked major genocide commemorations and general elections that secured Paul Kagame another five years in office, after his already 24-year-long presidency. Rwanda is often celebrated for its economic

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Cost of living looms over Chad legislative and local elections

In Chad, only three days to go before parliamentary and local elections. It is the last stage of the military transition led by Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. Over the past two years, Chadian merchants have suffered from the rising price of diesel fuel, essen

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Senegal minister calls riflemen 'traitors', sparking controversy over revisionist take on history

In Senegal, the Cheikh Oumar Diagne controversy is heating up. A few days ago, in an interview, the Minister in charge of General Resources at the Office of the President of the Republic described the Senegalese riflemen as “traitors”. This Thursday, he

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Israeli strikes hit Yemen as Netanyahu fires warning

Israeli air strikes pummelled Sanaa's international airport and other targets in Yemen on Thursday, with Huthi rebel media reporting six deaths. Details with FRANCE 24 correspondent in Jerusalem, Noga Tarnopolsky.

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6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison as post-election violence roils Mozambique

Africa • 10:39 AM

At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country's police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence are roiling the country. Story by Laurent Berstecher.

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India announces state funeral for former PM Manmohan Singh

Pacific Asia • 10:26 AM

India announced seven days of state mourning on Friday after the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, one of the architects of the country's economic liberalisation in the early 1990s. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in New Delhi, Sarah Jaco

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NATO to enhance presence in Baltic Sea after suspected undersea cable sabotage

Europe • 10:22 AM

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Friday that NATO will "enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea" as Estonia's navy began patrolling an undersea cable supplying energy from Finland. A different cable was disconnected from the power grid on C

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Aviation experts say Russia's air defense fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns

Pacific Asia • 10:22 AM

Aviation experts said that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Story by Luke Shrago.

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WHO chief says he was at Yemen airport as Israeli bombs fell nearby

A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with

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Two killed in wild weather on Sydney-Hobart yacht race

Two sailors have been killed in separate incidents in the treacherous Sydney to Hobart yacht race, officials said on Friday, as a string of yachts retired in powerful winds and high seas. Story by Liza Kaminov.

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An uneasy calm settles over Syrian city of Homs after outbreak of sectarian violence

Syria's new security forces checked IDs and searched cars in the central city of Homs on Thursday, a day after protests by members of the Alawite minority erupted in gunfire and stirred fears that the country's fragile peace could break down. Story by Li

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Syria authorities launch operation in Assad stronghold but warn against incitement as tensions brew

Syria's new authorities on Thursday launched a security crackdown in a coastal region where 14 policemen were killed a day before, vowing to pursue "remnants" of the ousted Bashar al-Assad government accused of the attack. Story by Camille Knight.

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Elderly woman killed in coastal city stabbing attack, Israeli hospital says

A woman in her eighties has been killed in a stabbing in the coastal city of Herzliya, Israel, an Israeli hospital said Friday. A 28-year-old suspected of being the attacker was arrested by Israeli police in the occupied West Bank.

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South Korea acting president impeached, just two weeks after Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korean lawmakers impeached the acting president on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in China, Yena Lee.

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Israel intercepts missile fired from Yemen after fresh strikes hit Sanaa, IDF says

Israel has intercepted a missile launched from Yemen early on Saturday, the military said. Israel had previously hit the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa's international airport with air strikes on Thursday, the same day that the head of the WHO was boarding

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South Korean lawmakers vote to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

Pacific Asia • 8:09 AM

A majority of South Korean lawmakers in the country's opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday. The country's new acting president, finance minister Choi Sang-mok, said that he would do all he could to end

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Canadian cabinet ministers to talk tariffs with Trump's team in Florida

Canada's finance and foreign ministers flew to Palm Beach, Florida on Thursday to meet with officials of the incoming Trump administration to try to avoid a damaging trade war between Ottawa and Washington.

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N. Korean soldiers captured by Ukrainian army die of wounds, Zelensky says

Europe • 5:19 AM

Several North Korean soldier captured by the Ukrainian military have died of their injuries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday. Thousands of North Korean troops are believed to have been deployed in Russia's Kursk region to repel a Ukrai

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US airstrike in Somalia kills two Al-Shabaab members, including top commander

The United States military said Thursday it carried out an airstrike in southern Somalia, killing two members of the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab group, including a senior commander. The strike, conducted in coordination with Somalia’s federal government,

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India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh dies aged 92

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, whose economic reforms made his country a global powerhouse, has died at the age of 92. Camille Knight looks back at his life.

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Mali says 70 missing after migrant boat sank between Morocco and Spain

Africa • 2:57 AM

Authorities in Mali say a shipwreck off the coast of Morocco on December 19 left 70 people missing, including migrants from Mali. The vessel, carrying around 80 people, sank while en route to Spain. Eleven survivors were rescued.

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Over 6,000 inmates escape from Mozambique prison amid post-election violence

Thousands of prisoners escaped from a high-security facility in Maputo on Christmas Day following a rebellion during which at least 33 inmates were killed, police said. The chaos erupted amid violent protests and riots triggered by the confirmation of th

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Thursday, december 26, 2024

Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza, including hospital staff and journalists

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Thursday killed at least 45 people, according to Palestinian sources, including hospital workers and five journalists. The strikes come as medics say plummeting winter temperatures claimed the lives of several newborns in di

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Syria's new rulers arrest official behind Saydnaya death penalties

Syria's new government has detained military justice official Mohammed Kanjo Hassan, who issued death sentences at Saydnaya prison under ousted president Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed Thursday. His arrest follows dead

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Mozambique prison break leaves dozens dead as thousands go free

A mass jailbreak in Mozambique that saw thousands of inmates go free has left dozens dead. Also, inflation in Chad means traders struggle to keep up with fuel prices, one of the issues at the centre of Sunday's legislative elections. And we look at major

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India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh dies aged 92

Pacific Asia • 8:37 PM

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, whose economic reforms made his country a global powerhouse, has died at the age of 92.

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Israel strikes Yemen's Sanaa airport during visit of WHO chief

Israeli air strikes hit Sanaa International Airport and other sites in Yemen on Thursday, killing three. The strikes, in response to Houthi attacks on Israel, also injured a plane's crew member, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who was at the a

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What we know about the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash

A Russian-bound Azerbaijani aircraft crashed in Kazakhstan on Wednesday, killing 38 of the 67 onboard. Experts suggest shrapnel damage indicates a possible accidental shootdown by Russian air defence. Authorities have urged caution against speculation un

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'To Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada': Trump's Christmas message

US President Joe Biden and his incoming successor Donald Trump issued starkly contrasting Christmas messages on December 25, with the latter doubling down on recent comments about seizing the Panama Canal, buying Greenland and annexing Canada. France 24

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Israel announces new strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital and ports

Houthi rebels in Yemen said Israeli airstrikes on December 26 targeted the rebel-held capital of Sanaa and the port city of Hodeida, following several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. France 24's Noga Tarnopolsky tells us more.

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