In a fiery address to the Munich Security Conference, America’s vice-president warned that Europe’s greatest threat comes “from within”, citing political suppression and mass migration. J.D. Vance criticised Romania’s decision to annul its election in December, when the courts overturned a surprise victory by a pro-Russian nationalist, and condemned the exclusion of the far-right Alternative for Germany from the event.
Ukraine’s leader, Volodymyr Zelensky, said he is prepared to negotiate with allies before engaging with Russia to end the war. His comments come after Donald Trump agreed to start peace talks with Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president. Earlier Emmanuel Macron, France’s president, told the Financial Times that only Mr Zelensky can negotiate peace with Russia and warned against any settlement that amounts to “capitulation”.
A Russian drone strike hit the defunct Chernobyl nuclear plant, Mr Zelensky said on Friday. The attack damaged the radiation containment shelter, breaching the protective structure over Reactor 4—the site of the 1986 disaster—and igniting a fire, which has since been extinguished. The Kremlin dismissed the claim as a “provocation”. Radiation levels in the immediate area remain stable.
The Rwanda-backed M23 rebels operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo claimed to have seized control of an airport 30km from Bukavu, the country’s second-biggest city. The armed group has been advancing south since capturing the eastern city of Goma last month. Roughly 350,000 people have been displaced, according to the UN Refugee Agency, which warned of a “rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis”.
Seven federal prosecutors quit over a request from America’s justice department to dismiss corruption charges against Eric Adams, New York City’s mayor. On Thursday Danielle Sassoon, Manhattan’s acting top federal prosecutor, resigned and accused the Trump administration of dropping Mr Adams’ indictment in exchange for his co-operation with the president’s immigration crackdown. Mr Trump and Mr Adams deny the allegation.
Syria’s central bank received a shipment of freshly-printed banknotes from Russia to ease a severe cash shortage disrupting businesses and daily transactions. Due to Western sanctions, Syria relies on Russia’s state-run printer, Goznak, for new currency. Banks have struggled to meet withdrawal demands, and businesses warn they can no longer access deposits to pay suppliers and salaries.
Pope Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Friday for tests and treatment for bronchitis, according to the Vatican. The 88-year-old pontiff had struggled with symptoms for days, delegating speeches to aides. He was hospitalised for bronchitis in March 2023 and cancelled a COP28 trip later that year due to illness. He had part of a lung removed at 21.
Word of the week: trochas, the Spanish term for illegal border crossings, often used to describe those used by Venezuelans entering Colombia. Read the full story.
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