Europe

Madagascar’s president has sacked his foreign minister, Richard Randriamandrato, for voting at the United Nations to condemn Russia’s annexation of four partially occupied regions of Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing two sources in the president’s office. Last Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn what it called Russia’s …

Ninety-two refugees were found naked after being forced, according to Athens, to cross the Evros river separating Turkey from Greece. The European border surveillance agency Frontex confirmed to AFP “the rescue of 92 migrants on Friday” with the help of the Greek authorities, according to a spokeswoman, Paulina Bakula. “The …

Belarus “would be well advised” not to enter the war in Ukraine, warned the head of French diplomacy Catherine Colonna, citing the possibility of sanctions. “The question will most certainly be on the agenda for the G7 discussions” which meets virtually on Tuesday in an emergency, the day after the …

Electricity will be cut in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv as Russian forces launch strikes on several towns across the country, the spokesman for the Ukrainian embassy in France has said. This measure, adopted as a preventive measure, aims to reduce the risks for the inhabitants of the capital in the …

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill on Friday congratulated Vladimir Putin on his 70th birthday, marked by a shower of praise. In his message, Kirill praised the Russian leader for “transforming Russia’s image, strengthening its sovereignty and defensive capabilities, defending national interests”. He also wishes him “physical and moral strength for many …

Australia on Tuesday listed fifteen new endangered species, including a small wallaby, vowing to prevent the total disappearance of animal and plant species. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government has announced a new ten-year plan to try to stem the extinction of 110 “priority species” and protect 20 “priority places” from …

There has been sparse media coverage in Senegal following a visit to Dakar by Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who is embarking on an African tour. The Ukrainian diplomat met Senegal’s Foreign Minister Aissata Tall Sall and they signed several bilateral co-operation deals. Mr Kuleba is on an apparent …

French President Emmanuel Macron met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi to discuss tensions between the two neighbors over rebel activity near their common border. The meeting came moments after Rwandan President Paul Kagame told the UN General Assembly that “blame game doesn’t solve problems”. …

Pope Francis will not attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, which will take place Monday at Westminster Abbey in London, the Vatican announced on Friday. The Sovereign Pontiff will be absent at the funeral of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II who died a week ago. Vatican’s Minister of …

Chinese president Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, met on Thursday in Uzbekistan as part of a regional summit. This is the Chinese leader’s first trip abroad since the start of the pandemic, and the first meeting between the two presidents since Russia invaded Ukraine. During the interview, …