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Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama on Friday blamed the involvement of “foreign hands” for escalating protests, which he said are aimed at hindering Albania's bid to join the European Union. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Albania's capital since Tuesday, demanding Rama’s resignation and denouncing university conditions and high tuition fees.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that he feared his US counterpart Donald Trump "will continue" lifitng sanctions on Russia. Zelensky's relationship with Trump deteriorated after the Washington eased sanctions on Moscow as part of a diesel-supply deal, despite Russia increasing strikes on Ukraine.
U.S. crude oil prices rose sharply Friday as Iran escalated attacks in the Strait of Hormuz this week.
A White House Press official said Friday that Secretary Katie Zacharia was "let go" from her role after US President Donald Trump signaled she was on her way out, a week after he picked her for the post. Zacharia's credentials as an attorney had come under scrutiny and she admitted to not having passed the bar in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.
After a 27.5% drop from last Friday's close to this Thursday morning's 52-week lows, followed by a 17% rebound, equity traders holding CoreWeave are dazed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday urged European leaders to maintain their support for Kyiv and warned against easing sanctions on Russia. Speaking to reporters at the European summit in Brussels, Zelensky said that ending the war remained Ukraine’s priority but accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of having no genuine interest in negotiations. He also criticised a US deal involving Russian diesel, arguing that easing restrictions could allow Moscow to reap financial benefits and pave the way for broader sanctions relief. Watch the replay.
Italy has extended by another week its suspension of the European Union's border-free travel arrangements with Spain over a surge in migrant arrivals in Ceuta in late July, an Italian government source said on Friday. A Spanish government spokesperson said the interior ministers of both countries would work over the coming week on lifting the border controls.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took aim on Friday at US President Donald Trump's diesel deal with Russia and welcomed the prospect of European allies stepping up their role in talks, calling Moscow's stance a "parody" of peace negotiations. At a European Union summit in Brussels, Zelenskiy said Russia did not want peace. He added that Ukraine was still experiencing disruptions to the SpaceX Starshield satellite system. FRANCE 24's Europe Editor Armen Georgian reports from Brussels.
Indian police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke on Friday ahead of fresh protests demanding the removal of the country's election chief, the youth-led movement said in a social media post. Dipke, 31, was detained shortly before a rally called by the online movement in the heart of New Delhi where hundreds of protesters marched on Friday evening, despite heavy security measures. FRANCE 24's Navodita Kumari reports from New Delhi, India.
The Vatican has said that Pope Leo XIV is recovering from lung surgery. Photos released on Friday showed the pontiff celebrating Mass at Rome's Gemelli Hospital unaided.
About 80 Israeli settlers set fire to olive trees and threw stones at Palestinians in a West Bank village Friday, injuring at least two people, including a US photojournalist with The Washington Post. The coordinated attack came as violence by settlers is on the rise during the olive harvest in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated a mass at Rome's Gemelli hospital Friday after undergoing surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his right lung, photos released by the Vatican showed. Doctors said his recovery was progressing normally but that further tests would show whether the cancer had spread.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday announced the appointment of an interim administration to prepare elections in the northern Tigray region previously controlled by the Tigray People's Liberation Front that has clashed with government forces since September. The recent conflict revived a war that killed hundreds of thousands between 2020 and 2022.
President Zelenskyy has received words of encouragement from EU leaders who pledged support for Ukraine's self-defense against Russia. This comes as winter approaches and the US seems to be withdrawing support.
Shares in some U.K. banks fell Friday after reports that the government is considering a higher surcharge on bank profits in the Oct. 28 Budget.
Eutelsat's shares soared this week and continued climbing on Friday as its competitor Starshield drew criticism over its limitations in Ukraine.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is seeking to rally European allies at a Brussels summit on Friday after saying Kyiv would no longer abide by US President Donald Trump's demands not to strike Russian oil refineries. Relations between Kyiv and Washington have soured since last week, when Trump eased sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets.
PRESS REVIEW – Friday, October 16: French papers look ahead to Saturday's call for mass protests, which will bring together a number of social movements. Next, climate change has devastating consequences on communities in Afghanistan. Also, Libération publishes a special edition written in the style of Georges Perec. Finally, this year's animal of the year has been named.
Liz Carmouche fights for the PFL flyweight world title on Friday and was taking no chances before stepping on the scales.
Harry Kane is close to signing a new deal at Bayern Munich, Arda Guler agrees a new contract with Real Madrid, Liverpool are leading the race for Bournemouth's Alex Scott, plus more.
