Power outage hits parts of Ukraine and Moldova after grid malfunction
Parts of Ukraine and Moldova, including Kyiv and Chisinau, were plunged into blackouts on Saturday after a malfunction on high-voltage power lines, wi...
Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa held separate telephone discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday (9 January), focusing on Syria’s internal security situation, reconstruction efforts and broader regional developments.
In the call with Macron, al‑Sharaa discussed prospects for bilateral cooperation and Syria’s role on the international stage, according to official statements.
He thanked France for its support during Syria’s transitional phase and its backing for reconstruction, underscoring the importance of safeguarding all segments of Syrian society, including the Kurdish community.
Macron has previously reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting a “free and stable” Syria and indicated willingness to consider easing European Union sanctions if conditions on stability and rights are met.
During his conversation with Erdoğan, the focus was on security issues, particularly around Aleppo, where clashes between Syrian government forces and Kurdish‑led fighters have driven tens of thousands of people from their homes in recent days, according to media reports.
The leaders discussed efforts to curb “illegal armed activities” that officials say are hindering reconstruction and agreed on the importance of close coordination to address shared challenges and threats.
Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s support for strengthening security and stabilisation, noting Ankara’s interest in joint efforts to tackle militancy and preserve territorial integrity.
Both sides agreed to maintain close cooperation between relevant government institutions going forward.
The calls come as al‑Sharaa’s administration works to consolidate authority following the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024 and amid stalled negotiations over integration of the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces into the national army.
Internationally, al‑Sharaa has sought to rebuild diplomatic ties since assuming office, including urging the lifting of sanctions imposed during the Assad era. France has hosted him in Paris, and Türkiye has repeatedly highlighted its support for Syria’s recovery.
Catherine O’Hara, the celebrated Canadian actress and comedy legend, has died at the age of 71, her publicist confirmed on Friday. She passed away at her home in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday made public more than three million pages of documents on Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender, including investigative records referencing U.S. President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk and Britain’s former Duke of York.
The United Nations faces the risk of “imminent financial collapse” because of unpaid contributions, including substantial arrears from the United States, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.
Vladimir Putin said Russia earned more than $15 billion from defence exports in 2025 and fulfilled all military-technical contracts despite what he described as growing pressure from Western countries.
Explosions shook parts of southern Lebanon on Friday night as Israeli strikes rippled across the Zahrani district, with the blasts travelling toward the coastal city of Sidon.
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on 31 January as both sides exchanged views on regional tensions and the future of their cooperation.
Four people were killed in a gas explosion in Ahvaz near the Iraqi border, while a separate blast at the port of Bandar Abbas left one dead and several injured, Iranian media reported.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to shape regional tensions in the Middle East, particularly among key powers such as Israel and Türkiye, according to political analyst Dr Zaur Gasimov.
Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis hosted a meeting with members of the majority staff of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Azertag reported, on 31 January.
U.S., Israeli and European leaders exploited Iran’s economic problems and encouraged unrest during recent nationwide protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Saturday (31 January).
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