France must take back its jihadist nationals from Syria, Turkey's top diplomat said Friday, insisting Washington was its only interlocutor for developments in the northeast where Ankara is threatening military action against Kurdish fighters. Asked about the possibility of a French-US troop deployment in northeast Syria, he said France's main concern should be to take back its nationals who have been jailed there in connection with jihadist activity.
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As Donald Trump revealed the contents of the letter left by Joe Biden, he said it was a very nice letter. "It was a little bit of an inspirational-type letter. Enjoy it, do a good job. Important, very important. How important the job is," Trump said about the letter. "It was a positive, for him, in writing it," Trump continued. "I appreciated the letter."
The two parties hoping to form Germany's next government are planning to plough hundreds of billions of euros into defence and infrastructure when in power, the Bild newspaper reported Sunday. Both sides' negotiators looked at economist reports evaluating the needs of the German army at 400 billion euros and that of the country's infrastructure at half a trillion euros, Bild added.
Starbucks announced reversing its open-door policy, initially introduced in 2018 to promote inclusivity. From January 2025, non-paying visitors will no longer have automatic access to its spaces. This change aims to prioritize paying customers and address safety issues, prompting discussions on the evolving role of third spaces in society and balancing inclusivity with practicality.
The Social Security Administration, under pressure from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, briefly considered suspending its phone services for filing claims, alarming many elderly and disabled individuals. The agency then backtracked and dropped the idea as the agency's toll-free number is what many older customers have been relying on for ages.
Three missing US soldiers in Lithuania were confirmed dead after their armored vehicle was retrieved from a peat bog following a tactical training exercise. One soldier remains unaccounted for. The extensive recovery operation involved US, Polish, and Lithuanian military personnel using heavy equipment and divers. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident.
Air France will resume flights to Beirut this Saturday after suspending services due to the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. Initially, the airline will operate five weekly flights, with Transavia, its low-cost subsidiary, restarting services on February 13 with three weekly flights. The airlines had halted operations in September amid escalating tensions. The resumption will be gradually increased, with regular assessments to ensure safety, following a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Over 1,000 dead, millions displaced: Floods wreack havoc across world in 2024
A new generation of Africans is increasing pressure on Western museums to return looted artefacts, reflecting growing awareness and changing attitudes, says Unesco's Ernesto Ottone. While countries like France and Britain hold vast collections of stolen cultural heritage, restitution efforts remain complex, often requiring bespoke laws. Some items, like Benin bronzes and Madagascar's royal crown, have been loaned, but widespread returns face legal and political resistance, stalling progress.
Twelve students are suing US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. They allege violation of First Amendment rights. The lawsuit challenges book bans in Pentagon-operated schools. The bans target materials on race, gender identity, and LGBTQ+ issues. ACLU represents the students in Virginia federal court. Removed titles include 'I know why the caged bird sings'.
US President Donald Trump is receiving rare accolades from animal advocacy groups like PETA for federal agencies' plans to phase out animal testing. The FDA and EPA are shifting towards humane alternatives, with the FDA using lab-grown organoids and AI. The EPA is reinstating a Trump-era directive to eliminate animal testing by 2035.