Author: France 24

Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 15:08Modified: 19/02/2024 – 15:17 In an interview with FRANCE 24, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said he expected that “regardless of the outcome of the US elections”, Washington “will continue to be a committed NATO ally”. “It is in the security interest of the United States to have a strong NATO,” Stoltenberg noted. The NATO chief also said he “expects” the US Congress “to find a way to agree sustained support to Ukraine”. Further aid for Kyiv is currently stalled in the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives. Almost exactly two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Norway’s intelligence service…

The EU on Monday announced a formal investigation into TikTok over alleged breaches of its obligations to protect minors online, under a landmark new law on policing digital content. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 15:38 2 min It is the second probe into a major online platform since Brussels introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), after targeting tech billionaire Elon Musk’s X in December.Brussels is particularly concerned that the video-sharing app owned by China’s ByteDance may not be doing enough to address negative impacts on young people.A key worry is the so-called “rabbit hole” effect—which occurs when users are fed related…

Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen will seek a second term as head of the European Union’s powerful Commission in a move that could make her the most significant politician representing the bloc’s 450 million citizens in a over a generation. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 13:23 2 min Following five years of leading the 27-nation bloc through multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the first two years of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the 65-year-old was put forward by her German Christian Democratic Union party and will only need a further rubber stamp when the party’s European umbrella group meets early…

Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 12:59 In an interview with FRANCE 24 on tensions in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said his country was “concerned” about a regional war. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said he feared that “the longer the conflict in Gaza goes on, the more danger there is for miscalculation, the more danger there is for escalation”. But the top Saudi diplomat also sounded a note of optimism, saying “I don’t believe that the Iranians want a broader war”. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference (MSC), Prince Faisal described “the level of civilian death and destruction” in…

Paris (AFP) – The Eiffel Tower, one of the world’s top tourist attractions, was closed Monday after staff went on strike, unions told AFP. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 10:33 1 min The strike, which was called to protest over the way the monument is managed financially, could be extended, they said.The tower’s operator, SETE, said on its website that “visits of the monument will be disrupted on Monday”.It advised ticket holders to check its website before showing up, or to postpone their visit. E-ticket holders were asked to check their e-mails for further information.The stoppage is the second strike at…

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad Al-Malki told the UN’s top court Monday that his people were suffering “colonialism and apartheid” under the Israeli occupation, as judges weigh the legal conseqences of the Israeli occupation. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 10:45 3 min “The Palestinians have endured colonialism and apartheid… There are those who are enraged by these words. They should be enraged by the reality we are suffering,” Al-Malki said.The ICJ is holding hearings all week on the legal implications of Israel’s occupation since 1967, with an unprecedented 52 countries expected to give evidence.Nations including the United States, Russia, and China will…

Yemen’s Houthis targeted the Rubymar cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden and it is now at risk of sinking, the group’s military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said in a statement on Monday. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 08:56 The ship is British and the crew are safe, he said, adding the Houthis had also shot down a U.S drone in Hodeidah.A Belize-flagged, UK-registered and Lebanese-operated open hatch general cargo ship came under attack in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off Yemen on Sunday, British maritime security firm Ambrey said.The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the crew had abandoned a ship off…

Sixty-four bloodied bodies have been found along a stretch of road in Papua New Guinea’s remote highlands, police said Monday, a gruesome escalation of long-running violence between local warring tribes. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 01:21 2 min The victims were believed to be tribal fighters who were ambushed by a rival group in the early hours of Sunday.The incident occurred near the town of Wabag, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) northwest of the capital Port Moresby.The rugged and lawless area has for years been the scene of tit-for-tat mass killings between rival Sikin, Ambulin, Kaekin and other tribesmen.Graphic police images…

Ukraine’s prime minister urged Japan’s government and private sector on Monday to step up support for the country’s reconstruction, promising an “economic miracle” once the almost two-year-old war with Russia ends. Issued on: 19/02/2024 – 06:19 2 min “Since the full-scale invasion started Japan has provided Ukraine with over $10 billion of various support,” making it the fourth-biggest donor, Denys Shmygal told a conference of around 300 government and business leaders from Japan and Ukraine.”Thanks to this funding during this terrible war caused by Russia, millions of Ukrainian people have been able to survive,” Shmygal said through an interpreter.Ukrainian President…

Gaza’s health ministry collects data from the enclave’s hospitals and the Palestinian Red Crescent.The health ministry does not report how Palestinians were killed, whether from Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages or errant Palestinian rocket fire. It describes all casualties as victims of “Israeli aggression”.The ministry also does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Throughout four wars and numerous skirmishes between Israel and Hamas, UN agencies have cited the Hamas-run health ministry’s death tolls in regular reports. The International Committee of the Red Cross and Palestinian Red Crescent also use the numbers.In the aftermath of war, the UN humanitarian office has published…