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Wednesday

Politics

Why is the US withdrawing its troops from Iraq?

A US-led coalition deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago to fight jihadists concluded its mission on Wednesday, a move celebrated by the country's leaders, but which some fear will embolden pro-Iran armed factions. France 24's Angela Diffley takes a look at the security challenges facing the country and why the US has chosen this moment to take its troops out.

World

Forced landing of Israel-bound flight: What we know so far

The Israeli government believes an incident on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, which diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals on Wednesday, may have been an attempted "terror attack" by one of the pilots. France 24’s Shirli Sitbon takes a look at what we know about the incident so far, with many of the details still emerging.

Politics

Macron says UK’s return to EU would be ‘excellent news’

Speaking alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that it would be "a good decision" if the UK decided to rejoin the European Union. The two leaders met at the Moncloa Palace in Madrid on the second day of Macron's two-day state visit to Spain.

World

Netanyahu says Israel is preparing for other ‘potential threats’ after pilot tried to crash plane

A flight from Dubai to Israel made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a brawl broke out in the cockpit, with the pilots hospitalised due to injuries upon arrival, a statement by the international airport of Tabuk reported Wednesday. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that one pilot had allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to crash the plane.

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Politics

‘The country has become a battlefield’: Last US troops exit Iraq

The last US troops in Iraq, part of a coalition to fight the Islamic State group, were slated to leave the country on Wednesday under an agreement between Baghdad and Washington. As the Iraqi army officially takes over the coalition’s remaining bases, the government is seeking to strengthen its military capabilities and reaffirm its sovereignty. Meanwhile, some living near the US bases who have been caught in the crossfire of attacks are hoping for a fresh start. Our journalists Amar el-Hameedawi, Marie-Charlotte Roupie and Laurent Berstecher sent this report from Iraq.

Politics

Trump’s tariffs loom over talks as G20 meets in US

Trade ministers of the Group of 20 are meeting in Milwaukee for two days of talks on Wednesday, but US President Donald Trump’s tariffs are expected to hang heavy over the talks. "Don't expect any breakthroughs," an analyst watching the event said.

World

Live: Several people killed as Russia launches new round of strikes on Kyiv

At least five people, including a 14-year old child, have died after Russia launched another round of strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding regions overnight to Wednesday, officials said. Several people were also wounded in the attacks. In Poland, two airports, in Lublin and Rzeszow, were briefly shut over “military aviation activity” during Russian attacks on Ukraine. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.

World

Heatwaves, wildfires expose a third of world to extreme ozone pollution

Heatwaves and wildfires helped expose 34 percent of the world’s population to “extremely poor” ozone air quality in the first eight months of 2026, according to a European Union report published Wednesday. Asia recorded the highest exposure, while ozone pollution remained difficult to curb despite decades of progress in reducing other harmful emissions.

Politics

US forces leave Iraq, raising fears of Iran-backed militias amid power vacuum

US forces are withdrawing from their remaining bases in Iraq on Wednesday, completing a pullout agreed under former president Joe Biden as fears grow over the security vacuum it could leave. Iraqi officials and analysts warn the departure could embolden Iran-backed militias and give Islamic State group fighters room to rebuild their capabilities.

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World

Deal for evicted Spanish pensioner as PM seeks new housing law

A Madrid pensioner whose eviction sparked nationwide protests that have piled pressure on the government to resolve Spain's housing crisis can return home after a deal with the property's owners, her lawyer said on Monday. Unaffordable housing has been a running sore for years in Spain, but the outcry over last Wednesday's eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal thrust the crisis to the forefront of the political debate. Demonstrators have set up roughly 100 tents in Madrid's emblematic Puerta del Sol square since Saturday night, while tens of thousands of people have protested across the c