Eurovision Song Contest faces major test as countries weigh Israel's participation

An Algerian appeals court upheld a seven-year prison sentence for French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who was convicted on terrorism-related charges. Gleizes, 36, is currently the only journalist from France imprisoned abroad, and his case has emerged amid rising diplomatic tensions between France and Algeria.

NATO chief Mark Rutte responded to Vladimir Putin's assertive remarks, affirming the alliance's readiness to protect Europe. Analyst Peter Zalmayev noted that Putin's confidence stems from a lack of international repercussions for NATO airspace violations.

Emmanuel Macron arrived in China for a three-day state visit aimed at enhancing trade relations and discussing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine with President Xi Jinping. The French president seeks to engage Beijing in pressuring Russia towards a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of global governance and Xi's participation in the upcoming G7 summit in France.

The European Union has proposed a plan to utilize frozen Russian assets to provide €90 billion in support for Ukraine over the next two years, amid ongoing financial challenges due to the prolonged conflict with Russia. Belgium has expressed significant concerns regarding this initiative, labeling it as potentially unlawful and destabilizing.

European Union lawmakers and member states have reached a significant agreement to ban all imports of Russian gas by the end of 2027, aiming to reduce financial support for Moscow amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This decision reflects a compromise between various EU stakeholders, with the European Parliament advocating for a quicker ban.

A cultural initiative titled Season of Ukraine – Journey to Ukraine: culture strikes back is set to take place from December 2025 to March 2026, featuring 50 events across various cities in France. This event aims to highlight the contributions of Ukrainian artists and foster cultural connections between Ukraine and France, as discussed by Ukrainian author Andrei Kurkov in an interview with FRANCE 24.

The Red Cross has handed over presumed remains from Gaza to Israel, which Hamas claims belong to one of the last two hostages held in the region. Israeli forensic experts will conduct examinations to confirm the identity of the remains. This transfer follows a ceasefire agreement that has been in place since October 10, during which Hamas has released several bodies of hostages.

Israel has received the remains of a deceased hostage, identified as Dror Or, from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). The remains were reportedly found in northern Gaza and will undergo forensic tests in Tel Aviv. This transfer follows a ceasefire that began on October 10, during which Hamas has released several bodies of hostages.