Iran warns countries aiding US attack •

 Middle East tensions are once again driving up global oil prices, with Brent crude climbing above $100 a barrel for the first time since May. While much of the focus has been on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the alternative shipping route through the Red Sea is becoming increasingly dangerous after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they targeted two Saudi oil tankers. The escalation comes as US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran, prompting Tehran to warn it would hold accountable any country that assists the United States in such an operation.

Report reveals extent of Kenyan deaths on Russian frontline

 

Was Donald Trump 'blocked' from using the nuclear codes against Iran? •

 Former CIA analyst Larry Johnson alleged on a podcast this week that US President Donald Trump wanted to use the nuclear codes against Iran during an emergency White House meeting, but that he was stopped by General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Johnson described the interaction as "quite the blow up." It comes as concern mounts over the US president's unpredictable behaviour, as many lawmakers voice doubts about his mental state.

Surprise defeat of far right dominates French front pages

The surprise defeat of the far right in the second round of French legislative elections is all over the front pages, with analysis of just how the leftist and centrist blocs managed to hold up

Fact-checked: Images show Israeli soldiers burning books in Gaza’s library

Could the death of Iranian president impact the economy?

Global markets appeared unfazed after Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash.  Any political instability could deal a blow to Iran's economy already struggling under the US sanctions, soaring inflation and high unemployment, but many analysts believe the impact of the tragedy will be limited. 

European MPs accused of taking Russian money to spread disinformation • France 24 English

EU leaders are sounding the alarm over potential Russian interference in the upcoming European Parliamentary elections. They're warning that the Kremlin is using disinformation in its attempts to sow divisions between European citizens. But they also warn of dangers coming from within EU institutions as several MEPs have been accused of acting as Russian agents

Chechnya bans music deemed too fast or too slow • FRANCE 24 English

The Russian republic of Chechnya has taken the rare step of banning music it deems either too fast or too slow. Officials there have outlawed songs that don’t conform to new rules which specify their beat per minute, which excludes most of Western pop.

What kind of music is just right? 

China seas: A new Cold War brewing? •

Long dominated by the United States, the Asia-Pacific region is grappling with an increasingly assertive China. Tensions are mounting around Taiwan and in the South China Sea, both in the air and on the water, with numerous incidents of late involving Chinese fighter planes, collisions between ships and reefs being turned into military outposts

Cyber resilience closely linked to GDP: SecurityScorecard CEO tells France 24

The World Economic Forum has kicked off in Davos, bringing together nearly 3,000 global leaders including some 60 heads of state and government, corporate bosses and prominent figures in public institutions.

'Gazan health authorities have revised their death toll upwards to over 21,000

"Gazan health authorities have revised their death toll upwards to over 21,000", said FRANCE 24 reporter Luke Shrago, reporting from Tel Aviv, Israel. "No where in Gaza is truly safe", with 1.9 million people displaced and moving place to place under bombardments, with strikes incoming and continuing, he added.

Gazan children put ‘in cages?' Here's why these images are out of context

Posts claiming to show Israeli troops 'arresting' Palestinian children and detaining them 'in cages' went viral online, with users denouncing Israel's mistreatment of children. This comes as the United Nations deemed Gaza 'the most dangerous place to be a child.' But whilst these videos are indeed from Palestinian territories, they're not linked to the current Israeli offensive on Gaza

Global supply chain under threat amid militant attacks on vessels in Red Sea

On Monday, British oil giant BP and Taiwan's Evergreen became the latest to suspend transit in the Red Sea amid drone and missile attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The firms join several of the world's biggest freight companies in avoiding the waterway, though which 12% of global trade passes every year.

Houthi propaganda targets Saudis & Israel, 'tries to portray themselves as liberators of Palestine'

Iran's U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani said his country has not been involved in any actions or attacks against U.S. military forces, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Tuesday. The United States has blamed Yemen's Iran-allied Houthi group for a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters since war broke out between Israel and the Palestinian militant groupHamas on Oct. 7.

This photo does not show Israeli weapons in cargo ship seized by Houthis

On November 19, Houthi rebels hijacked an Israeli-linked cargo ship in the Red Sea, taking 25 of its crew members hostage. Some users are sharing a photo that they claim show that this cargo ship was carrying weapons

 

Israeli journalist ‘arrested’ for exposing secret army deaths? Except he doesn’t exist

 

Viral posts claim to show a video of ‘renowned journalist’ Ephraim Mordechai revealing that scores of IDF soldiers’ bodies have been hidden in hospital morgues, whilst their families remain unaware. The claims allege he’s since been arrested for this exposure by Israeli authorities.

An IDF advertisement recruiting Ukrainian soldiers is fake

In a video digitally altered using artificial intelligence, users claim to show an advertisement belonging to the Israel Defence Forces, starring a Ukrainian soldier, who brags about the benefits of joining the Israeli army.

 

Video of Palestinian body dragged by Israeli army vehicle filmed in Israel, not Gaza • FRANCE 24

Two viral videos seen millions of times on X, formerly known as Twitter, show an Israeli armored vehicle dragging what appears to be a Palestinian body in an area located close to Zikim Beach, Israel.
 

Aid expected to arrive in Gaza via Rafah on Friday • FRANCE 24 English

The Egyptians have sent machinery to repair roads so aid can enter the Gaza Strip. Details of the deal are still being hammered out.

'Nothing seems to stop the ability of Hamas to keep firing rockets into Israel'

Hamas militants continued firing rockets from the Gaza Strip on Sunday even as Israeli forces pounded the enclave ahead of a looming ground assault, while violence also intensified along Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants fired rockets and an anti-tank missile and Israel responded with airstrikes and shelling.