AFP

Agence France-Presse

Hamas's foreign affairs chief and former Political Bureau head Khaled Mashal speaks on stage

Senior Hamas leader rejects disarmament or 'foreign rule'

A senior Hamas leader has said that the Palestinian Islamist movement would not surrender its weapons nor accept foreign intervention in Gaza, pushing back against US and Israeli demands.

Middle East • 08 Feb

Attendees gather in mourning, placing messages, candles, and flowers at a memorial site in front of the bar “Le Constellation” during a national day of mourning in Crans-Montana, on January 9, 2026,

Memorial for Swiss bar fire victims goes on fire - police

A memorial for the victims of the deadly New Year's fire in Switzerland itself caught fire early today, police said, adding they were investigating what sparked the blaze.

Europe • 08 Feb

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaking in front of an Iranian flag.

US military pressure 'does not scare us', says Iranian FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has ruled out Tehran ever giving up uranium enrichment in its negotiations with Washington, insisting it will not be intimidated by the threat of war with the United States.

Middle East • 08 Feb

(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on February 8, 2026 shows socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro (L) casting his vote in Caldas da Rainha and far-right wing candidate Andre Ventura voting in Lisbon, on February 8, 2026, during the second rou

Seguro beats far-right in vote on Portuguese presidency

Centre-left candidate Antonio Jose Seguro scored a convincing win over far-right rival Andre Ventura in the Portuguese presidential election, in a run-off vote held after days of devastating storms.

Europe • 09 Feb

Japan's Prime Minister and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Sanae Takaichi reacts as she speaks with media on the House of Representatives election day at the LDP headquarters in Tokyo on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Kim Kyung-Hoon / POOL /

Takaichi on course for landslide win in Japan election

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on course for a big victory in snap elections, a result that could however rile China and worry financial markets.

Asia • 08 Feb

A man walks past a mural depicting the US Statue of Liberty with the torch-bearing arm broken, painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy, in Tehran

Iran warns of retaliation if attacked, eyes more US talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said he hopes talks with the United States would resume soon but also warned that Tehran would target US bases in the region if the US attacked Iranian territory.

World • 07 Feb

UK zoo says tiny snail 'back from brink' of extinction

A minuscule snail once thought to have disappeared has been saved from the edge of extinction, a British zoo has said.

News Lens • 07 Feb

Isaac Herzog, Israel's president, speaks at the funeral of Israeli hostage Ran Gvili in Meitar, southern Israel, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. After searches by troops in a Gazan graveyard over the weekend, the Israeli army announced Monday that the body o

Protesters warned over Israeli president's Sydney visit

Australian authorities warned protesters to avoid violence in Sydney's streets when Israeli President Isaac Herzog visits on Monday to honour victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting.

World • 07 Feb

French (L) and Canadian (R) national flags fly alongside Greenlandic ones in front of the Parliament in Nuuk, Greenland

Canada and France open consulates in Greenland

Canada and France, which both oppose US President Donald Trump's claim to Greenland, have opened consulates in the Danish autonomous territory's capital, in a show of support for the local government.

World • 06 Feb

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gives a speech during a plenary session at the European Parliament, in Strasbourg

EU proposes new Russia sanctions targeting energy, trade

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine war, including a ban on providing shipping services for Russian crude oil.

Ukraine • 06 Feb

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AFP