Humanitarian situation in Ukraine 'the worst it's ever been', IFRC says
Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, Scott Craig, Senior Communications Officer at the IFRC, explains that the humanitarian situation in Ukraine 'it's the worst it's ever been' and organisations working on the ground in Ukraine face a funding challenge as 'international support for humanitarian fun»»»
ADB backs Thai solar and storage scheme with $350mn in financing
The Asian Development Bank and Gulf Renewable Energy Company Limited have signed a $350mn financing agreement to support the construction of two solar power projects paired with battery energy storage systems in Thailand, alongside a separate 68-MW solar plant, POWERLINE reports. »»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Renewables to contribute 26% of India’s power generation by end-FY2026
Renewable energy is expected to account for 26% of India’s total electricity generation by the end of FY2026, even as demand conditions remain relatively subdued, according to a report by Infomerics Ratings cited by PV Magazine on February 18. »»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Rubio holds secret talks with Raúl Castro's grandson on Cuba transition
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been conducting clandestine discussions with the grandson of Cuba's ageing former leader Raúl Castro as Washington explores options for political change on the island, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Axios. »»»
Rubio holds secret talks with Raúl Castro's grandson on Cuba transition
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been conducting clandestine discussions with the grandson of Cuba's ageing former leader Raúl Castro as Washington explores options for political change on the island, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Axios. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Renewables to contribute 26% of India’s power generation by end-FY2026
Renewable energy is expected to account for 26% of India’s total electricity generation by the end of FY2026, even as demand conditions remain relatively subdued, according to a report by Infomerics Ratings cited by PV Magazine on February 18. »»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
Bulgaria sets April 19 election after president approves caretaker cabinet
Bulgaria's President Iliana Yotova approved a caretaker government proposed by prime minister-designate Andrey Gyurov on February 18 and said she would call a snap parliamentary election for April 19. Gyurov, former deputy»»»
Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt
As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»
COMMENT: Illusions of peace mask the enduring drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Expectations that 2026 could prove decisive in ending the war in Ukraine are premature and risk misreading the logic driving Moscow, argues Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, in a comment for Carnegie Politika. »»»
COMMENT: Illusions of peace mask the enduring drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Expectations that 2026 could prove decisive in ending the war in Ukraine are premature and risk misreading the logic driving Moscow, argues Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, in a comment for Carnegie Politika. »»»
Agriculture minister signs support agreements for 2 food factories
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture, Saeb Khraisat, on Wednesday signed support agreements for two food factories as part of the project to stimulate industries in industrial and development estates and municipalities.This step comes within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to stim»»»
ASE launches update to enhance features of 'Boursa' App
AMMAN — The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) has launched a new update for its mobile application, "Boursa", reflecting its ongoing commitment to developing advanced digital tools that meet investor expectations and enhance accessibility to market data.The update aims to facilitate precise monitoring of»»»
CBJ Governor presides over 4th cycle of HFE research awards on key economic issues
AMMAN — Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hussein Fund for Excellence (HFE), Adel Sharkas, presided over the awards ceremony for the winners of the fourth cycle of the Hussein Fund Economic Research Awards.Speaking on behalf of the Governor, »»»
Peru ousts interim president Jeri amid corruption probe weeks before elections
Peru’s Congress on Tuesday voted to remove the interim President Jose Jeri over corruption allegations, deepening political uncertainty just weeks before the nation’s April presidential and congressional elections. Jeri is under preliminary investigation for alleged influence peddling tied to a ser»»»
Eight of nine missing skiers found dead in California avalanche
Eight skiers have died after an avalanche tore through the slopes of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, authorities said Wednesday, as rescuers continued searching for one other missing person from the group. Eight people are dead following an avalanche in »»»
'A very MAGA agenda': Is Trump’s Board of Peace meant to replace the United Nations?
On the eve of the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" initiative in Washington, FRANCE 24 spoke to historian and UN expert Alanna O’Malley about how the body reflects the MAGA movement's agenda seeking to further institutionalise US power at a global scale. Dozens of w»»»
Musk cuts Starlink access for Russian forces - giving Ukraine an edge at the front
Evidence is mounting that Elon Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to his Starlink satellite-based internet service has blunted Moscow's advance, caused confusion among Russian soldiers and handed an advantage to Ukraine's defenders. But for how long? And what can Ukraine's military achie»»»
Desperate hunt for breakthrough in Nancy Guthrie case turns to Mexico
US investigators have reportedly been in touch with Mexican authorities about the disappearance of American news anchor Savannah Guthrie's mother, as the search stretches into a third week. The sheriff's department in the US state of Arizona and FBI declined to confirm they had contacted authoritie»»»
Two paths, one pressure: The quiet guilt of modern motherhood
Motherhood is often framed as a choice between two opposing paths: returning to work or staying at home. Yet what is rarely acknowledged is that neither option comes without an emotional cost. No matter which path a woman takes, guilt seems to follow - quietly, persistently, and often invisibly. Fo»»»
Saudi Okaz casts Saad Hariri’s return as “a glimmer of hope for Lebanon’s Sunnis” – Ya Libnan
Share: Photo- Saad Hariri gestures towards the gathered crowd during an event to mark the 21st anniversary of the assassination of his father and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, in Beirut, Lebanon, February 14, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir The Saudi newspaper Okaz, in an article by »»»
Dh500 fine reminder as Sharjah Police push road safety drive
Sharjah Police have renewed their call for all road users to uphold traffic safety, emphasising that safe roads are a shared responsibility crucial for protecting lives and enhancing community well-being. Traffic officials noted that road safety is a key indicator of societal development. Statistic»»»
President of Republic extends Ramadan greetings to Tunisian people from Zitouna Mosque [Update 1]
Tunis, Feb. 19 (TAP) - President Kais Saied headed on Wednesday evening to the historic Zitouna Mosque, from where he extended his congratulations to the Tunisian people and the Islamic nation on the advent of the Holy Month of Ramadan.In his...»»»
Former Palestinian delegate to France Leïla Shahid dies age 76
Leïla Shahid, a former Palestinian delegate-general to France who became one of the most recognisable political figures of the Palestinian cause, died on Wednesday at the age of 76. Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestine abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family sai»»»
More than 80 UN member states condemn Israel’s plans to expand in West Bank
UN missions from 85 member states on Tuesday condemned what they described as Israel’s expanding control in the West Bank, warning it could amount to de facto annexation. In a joint statement, they said unilateral measures violated international law and urged Israel to reverse them immediately. A t»»»
White House urges Iran to strike deal as Trump renews military threat
Washington (United States) (AFP) – The White House warned Iran it would be “wise” to reach a deal with the United States, as President Donald Trump again raised the prospect of military action amid renewed, Oman-mediated talks. The remarks come as tensions remain high following »»»
Russia hosts Cuban foreign minister, urges US not to blockade Cuba
MOSCOW: Russian top officials hosted the Cuban foreign minister for talks in Moscow on Wednesday and spoke out in support of the island nation as it faces blackouts and severe fuel shortages worsened by a US oil embargo. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with his Russian counterpart Sergey»»»
Indian parents pardon driver after losing toddler son visiting father in UAE
Sharjah: An Indian expat in the UAE and his wife living back home say they have pardoned the driver whose car struck their toddler son following which he died in Sharjah last week. As reported by Gulf News last week, 22-month-old Alan Rumi died in the freak accident on Wednesday while visiting his »»»
UNICEF: A third of Ukrainian children are displaced by war - UPI.com
A Russian drone strike on a five-story residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, shows why a third of Ukrainian children are displaced, as reported by UNICEF on Tuesday. Photo by EPA/Stringer Feb. 18 (UPI) -- As the Ukraine war nears its fifth year, more than a third of Ukrainian children remain displ»»»
India's Chief of Naval Staff meets heads of Russian, Thai, Lanka navies at IFR
Visakhapatnam: Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K. Tirpathi had an interaction with chief of Russian Navy at the International Fleet Review here on Wednesday. According to spokesperson of the Indian Navy, the CNS held an interaction with Admiral Aleksandr Alekseevich Moiseev, Commande»»»
Faster, error-free results? What CBSE’s Class 12 shift means for UAE students
The Central Board of Secondary Education will introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 board exams from 2026, shifting from traditional physical evaluation of answer books to a fully digital system – a reform the board said is a step towards “greater accuracy and transparency”. Also Read: CBS»»»
Eye on Africa - At least 28 people killed in drone strikes on Sudan market
In tonight's edition: At least 28 people are killed in drone strikes on a market in central Sudan's Kordofan region. Also, our correspondent Tom Canetti sits down with Sanda Ojiambo, the Assistant Secretary General and CEO of the UN's Global Compact initiative. And as Muslims around the world gear »»»
Sudanese people face 'generations of trauma', head of UN OCHA tells France 24
Discussing the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in war-torn Sudan, Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, explains that the Sudanese people face "generations of trauma" and "they're crying out for peace", stressing that "the world isn't responding with the generosity a»»»
'If we can get a Coca-Cola to the most remote parts of the world, we can get cooking gas, as well'
In Africa clean cooking is an issue of major concern, and with a billion people relying on wood and charcoal to cook their food each day there is a disproportionate number of deaths due to fine particle air pollution. FRANCE 24's Mark Owen speaks with Andy Herscowitz, CEO of Mission 300 Accelerator»»»
Hamas is reasserting control in Gaza despite its heavy losses fighting Israel
When a US-imposed ceasefire halted the Gaza War last October, Hamas's war for survival against Israel switched into a battle for control at home. The war had left the group's disciplined military units shattered into guerrilla forces, and most of its leaders killed; Gaza's buildings and infrastruct»»»
Press Review - Death of Quentin: Suspect's links with France Unbowed party put left in spotlight
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 18, 2026: The killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque has plunged France into political chaos, as one of the suspects was revealed to be working for the far-left France Unbowed party. Meanwhile, as tributes for civil rights act»»»