live U.S. clears way for $2.7 billion sale of air-defence development upgrades to Ukraine
The U.S. State Department approved a potential $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence develo...
France said on Saturday it was considering taking reciprocal measures after Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations.
"France regrets this hostile and unfounded decision, which illustrates the worrying drift of the Burkinabe authorities," the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
It urged French nationals in Burkina Faso "to exercise heightened vigilance".
Burkina Faso said on Friday it had severed links with its former colonial ruler after years of worsening ties over security, sovereignty and alleged foreign interference.
Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo said the decision took effect on 26 June following a review of bilateral ties, accusing Paris of failing to uphold mutual respect, non-interference and national sovereignty.
He also accused France of supporting “subversive networks” and “terrorists”, allegations France has previously denied.
Regional realignment
The move follows similar ruptures between France and neighbouring Mali and Niger, where military governments have also cut defence ties with Paris and demanded the withdrawal of French troops.
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger formally left the West African bloc ECOWAS earlier this year and formed the Alliance of Sahel States, citing sovereignty concerns and opposition to what they described as external pressure.
Burkina Faso remains one of the countries hardest hit by the Islamist insurgency that spread from Mali more than a decade ago.
Armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have carried out repeated attacks across the country, killing thousands and displacing millions, while large areas remain outside full state control.
The diplomatic break with France comes as Burkina Faso’s military authorities continue to frame sovereignty and security as central to their political agenda.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting to make an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian state media said early on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end and that Tehran wanted to reach a deal, but Iran dismissed his comments as “mixed signals” as the conflict approaches its seventh month.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 18 September 2026. These are the top five stories making headlines in the field of science.
The U.S. State Department approved a potential $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said in a congressional notification late on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Denmark and Greenland on Friday that would significantly expand Washington’s military presence on the Arctic island and give the United States what he described as permanent authority over its security.
The European Union will disburse €3.3 billion ($3.8 billion) to Ukraine for missiles and drones, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia’s first State Duma election since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine is testing the country’s political system as voters choose a new parliament amid wartime and economic pressures.
From Russia’s parliamentary election and Germany’s regional votes to the U.S. midterms, several major elections are taking place in September and November of 2026. Meanwhile, Sweden has already voted, with parties now negotiating to form a new government.
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